Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns by issuing a ‘red’ alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting an imminent spell of intense rainfall in the state over the next 48 hours on Saturday. According to IMD, Uttarakhand is bracing for an onslaught of more than 204mm of rainfall on the 13th and 14th of August.
The Met Department has strongly advised the public to steer clear of flood-prone areas and to exercise caution around vulnerable structures.
Uttarakhand might receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6mm to 204.4mm on the 12th, 15th, and 16th of August.
In Himachal Pradesh, the MeT office has also issued a yellow alert for substantial rains scheduled for the 12th and 13th of August, with expectations of a prolonged wet spell persisting in the state until August 17.
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The weather forecast department has also cautioned against the likelihood of landslides, flash floods, mudslides, and a surge in water levels in rivers and canals. The IMD’s counsel remains for residents to brace themselves for substantial precipitation during this period.
Anticipating persistent challenging weather conditions, the meteorological office has projected isolated instances of heavy to very heavy rainfall to persist over Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya until August 12, followed by isolated heavy showers in the proceeding two days.
Consequently, an ‘orange’ alert has been issued for Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim for August 12.
The nationwide meteorological forecast indicates subdued rainfall in other parts of the country over the next week. However, the agency remains vigilant about the potential for localized flooding and landslides.
This alarm comes on the heels of a tragic incident where a landslide claimed the lives of five pilgrims in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district as their vehicle was engulfed. The deceased included three individuals from Gujarat and one from Haridwar, with efforts underway to ascertain the identity of the fifth victim. Expressing deep concern, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stressed the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy in the state in the wake of monsoon disruptions and swiftly providing aid and relief to the affected individuals.
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Further forecasts predict isolated heavy rainfall over Punjab and Haryana on the 11th and 13th of August, along with western Uttar Pradesh on the 11th, 13th, and 14th of August. Additionally, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jammu are projected to experience similar conditions on the 11th of August.
Chief Minister Dhami conducted a ground inspection in the rain-affected Kotdwar area, which recently witnessed a landslide leading to a missing individual and damage to multiple bridges, thus isolating a significant population from the rest of the state.
The IMD has also issued an ‘orange’ alert for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, indicating that these states should prepare for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6mm to 204.4mm today.
