As the monsoon season sweeps across India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued bulletins and alerts for people to take note of.
After a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh resulted in the deaths of people and swept away cars and homes this week, it is vitally important to be aware of the latest advisories wherever you are in the country. Here’s a roundup of what you need to look out for.
The monsoon rains have intensified in Kerala's low-lying parts of Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts. Thus, the IMD issued a red alert in these three districts on Thursday, June 26.
Apart from this, they also issued an orange alert in seven other districts of the state, predicting heavy rainfall between six cm and 11 cm.
Kerala’s irrigation department issued alerts in respect of various rivers which had dangerously high water levels due to the rains. The Muvattupuzha River in Ernakulam district, Bharathapuzha, which flows through Thrissur and Malappuram, Achankovil and Pamba rivers in Pathanamthitta, Manimala in Kottayam, Thodupuzha River in Idukki and Kabani in Wayanad, among others, are flowing above danger levels.
The flooding of low-lying areas in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Idukki districts due to the rise in water levels of rivers and heavy rains has displaced hundreds of people, who were shifted to relief camps.
The continuous rains in Wayanad district's Mundakkai-Chooralmala region has resulted in the Chooralmala River being in strong spate, with muddy water flowing forcefully and eroding the banks near the Bailey bridge.
On Friday, June 27, the Wayanad district administration will raise the spillway shutter of the Banasura Sagar Dam and release 50 cubic metres of water per second in phases into the Karamanthodu River, a tributary of the Kabani. It warned people living along the banks of the river and in low-lying areas to be alert.
The IMD has warned of potential flash floods, rising river levels and landslides in several districts of Himachal Pradesh.
A spell of heavy rain is forecast for June 29, and an orange alert is in place for five districts: Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla and Sirmaur for heavy to very heavy rainfall. As per the forecast, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla could experience significant rainfall during this period.
The IMD also issued a public advisory, particularly for residents and tourists in vulnerable areas, to avoid rivers, streams and steep slopes, citing a high probability of landslides during intense rainfall spells.
Residents have been urged to save emergency contacts such as the police (112), disaster response teams, local helplines and health services.
A yellow alert for very heavy rainfall was issued for six southern districts of Jharkhand on Friday, June 27.
Gumla, Khunti, Seraikela Kharsawan, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Simdega are likely to face heavy rainfall from 8:30 AM on Friday till 8:30 AM on Saturday, June 28.
A yellow alert is also in place for centrals parts of the state, including Bokaro, Hazaribag, Ramgarh and Ranchi districts.
The weather service has forecast thunderstorm with rain for Friday, June 27, in Delhi. The IMD predicts the pattern is likely to change over the next three to four days with the northward movement of the seasonal east-west trough.
(With inputs from multiple news reports)
