The south-west monsoon has once again become active with full force across the country. Due to the extremely moist winds coming from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea and the monsoon trough passing through its normal position, heavy accumulation of clouds has formed over large areas of North, Central and Western India. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a serious warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in more than 15 states of the country for the next 48 to 72 hours and declared red and orange alert.
According to meteorologists, during this period, strong gusty winds at a speed of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour may blow in many areas, waterlogging may occur in low-lying areas and there is a serious risk of flash floods in hilly areas. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDRF) have been put on high alert mode.
Disaster rain in hilly states: Red alert of landslides and cloudburst in Uttarakhand and Himachal
The most aggressive form of monsoon is being seen in the hilly states. There is a high risk of cloudburst, swollen rivers and landslides in many districts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh:
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Uttarakhand: Red alert has been issued for Dehradun, Nainital, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Tehri and Pithoragarh districts. The water level of Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Mandakini rivers is rising rapidly. Due to landslides at several sensitive places on Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri national highways, travelers and devotees have been advised to stop at safe stops.
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Himachal Pradesh: There is a risk of heavy rain and flash floods in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur districts. The local administration has given strict instructions to tourists to completely stay away from the banks of Beas, Sutlej and Ravi rivers and high waterfalls.
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Jammu and Kashmir: Due to torrential rains in the hilly areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi and Poonch of Jammu division, a warning has been issued about slipping and shooting stones on the highway.
Condition of plains: Storm and lightning in UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
Clouds have also gathered in the plains of North and Central India, where along with heavy rains, the biggest threat of lightning (thunderstorm) is looming:
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Uttar Pradesh: There is an orange alert of heavy rain in Purvanchal and adjoining districts of Terai (Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Pilibhit and Bareilly). Whereas, moderate to heavy showers with thunder and lightning are expected around Lucknow, Kanpur, Ayodhya and Varanasi.
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Bihar: An alert of torrential rain with strong winds and lightning has been issued in Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga and Kishanganj in north and north-western Bihar. Farmers have been instructed to avoid going to open fields.
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Madhya Pradesh: The water level of Narmada, Betwa and Chambal rivers is increasing due to continuous intermittent heavy rains in the districts of Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar, Narmadapuram and Gwalior-Chambal division. Gates of many major dams are likely to be opened.
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Rajasthan: There is a possibility of heavy rain in Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, Chittorgarh, Jaipur and Sawai Madhopur districts of eastern Rajasthan, which may cause waterlogging in low-lying areas.
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Delhi-NCR: There will be dense dark clouds in the sky in the capital Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram and spells of intermittent moderate to heavy rain will be seen in some areas, which will bring down the temperature but there may be problems of traffic jams.
Western and Coastal India: Stormy winds in Maharashtra, Konkan and Gujarat
Due to the cyclonic pressure in the Arabian Sea, the pace of monsoon remains very fast on the west coast:
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Maharashtra and Konkan: Heavy to very heavy rain has been warned in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigarh, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. There is a possibility of high waves in the coastal areas of Mumbai, due to which the Municipal Corporation (BMC) has fully activated the disaster control room. There is an alert of reduced visibility and road slippage in ghat sections of the Western Ghats.
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Gujarat: Waterlogging may occur in some coastal districts of South Gujarat (Surat, Valsad, Navsari) and Saurashtra due to torrential rains. A strict warning has been issued to fishermen not to venture into the sea.
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Odisha and West Bengal: Due to the low pressure formed in the coastal areas of Bay of Bengal, intermittent heavy rains with strong winds will continue in the coastal districts.
Protection from heavy rain and lightning: Important precautions and guidelines
The Disaster Management Authority and the Meteorological Department have appealed to the common citizens to follow safety protocols instead of panicking during bad weather:
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Do not cross swollen drains and submerged bridges: Do not try to move your vehicle or walk on foot even if there is 1-2 feet of water flowing on roads or pavements; The balance may get disturbed in strong currents.
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Stay away from trees and dilapidated houses: Never take shelter under large, old or standing alone trees when a storm or rain begins. There is a danger of kutcha houses and old structures collapsing.
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Distance from electrical equipment and poles: Avoid touching electric poles, transformers, open wires and iron railings during waterlogging on roads to avoid electric shock.
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Protection from lightning: Farmers working in the fields should immediately go inside a permanent building or shed during thunderstorms. If stranded in an open field, sit in a crouch, do not lie directly on the ground.
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Using weather apps and helplines: Keep the Central Government’s ‘Mausam App’, ‘Damini App’ for lightning alerts and Bihar’s citizens ‘Indravajra App’ active in your smartphone. In case of emergency, District Disaster Control Room or National Emergency Number 112 Contact immediately.
For the next two to three days, residents of all affected states have been advised to avoid unnecessary travels, keep an eye on the latest weather bulletins and strictly follow the guidelines of the local administration.