New Delhi: The seasonal cycle in the North-West Bay of Bengal and its adjoining coastal areas has now become more aggressive. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the low pressure area has deepened and turned into a severe depression. Due to the movement of this depression in the north-northwest direction, there is a possibility of torrential to extremely heavy rains in the states of Eastern, Central and North-Eastern India for the next three days. In view of the danger of this seasonal change, the Meteorological Department has issued an alert for West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.
Rain wreaked havoc in Odisha
Monsoon rains have shown their worst form in Eastern India. Bhogorai in Odisha recorded excessive rainfall of 22 cm in the last 24 hours.
In view of the continuing rains and the threat of floods, the state administration has so far evacuated more than 2.37 lakh people to safe places. Apart from this, heavy rainfall of 12 to 20 cm has also been recorded in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh.
Warning for Jharkhand, Bihar and North-Eastern states
According to the forecast of the Meteorological Department, this system will pass through Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar in the next 24 hours. Jharkhand has been predicted to receive extremely heavy rainfall with strong winds at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour and lightning on August 18. At the same time, a serious warning has been given in Bihar of torrential rains and thunderstorms between August 17 and 23, which may disrupt life. On the other hand, in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, heavy rains will continue at isolated places for the next five to seven days.
Fear of rising sea and damage in coastal areas
Due to the extremely aggressive weather system, storm winds with a speed of 45 to 65 kilometers per hour are expected along the coasts of North Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Due to high waves and adverse conditions in the sea, fishermen have been given strict instructions not to venture into the sea till August 18. Due to strong winds, the risk of disasters like uprooting of trees, waterlogging in low-lying areas, floods and landslides in hilly areas has increased, which can also have a negative impact on road, rail and air services.
Cloud camp in Delhi-NCR
There is a possibility of light to moderate rain in the national capital Delhi and surrounding NCR region from August 17 to 20. The Meteorological Department estimates that with light rain on August 18, the maximum temperature will fall to 32-34°C, which will provide relief to people from the heat. On August 19 and 20, one to two spells of rain may be seen in the afternoon. Along with this, there is a possibility of heavy rain at isolated places in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh on 17, 18 and 21 August.