News Analysis India

Tag: MeT department

  • Met department forecasts heavy rain in Bengal till September 14

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The Met department on Saturday forecast heavy rain across West Bengal till September 14 due to the intensification of a low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms across Gangetic West Bengal from Saturday till Monday and in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal between September 12 and 14.

    The weatherman predicted very heavy rainfall in Gangetic West Bengal on September 11 and 12.

    Squally weather conditions with wind speed exceeding 45 kmph will prevail along and off the West Bengal-Odisha coasts over the next 36 hours.

    The weatherman advised fishermen not to venture into deep seas from Saturday till Monday.

    KOLKATA: The Met department on Saturday forecast heavy rain across West Bengal till September 14 due to the intensification of a low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms across Gangetic West Bengal from Saturday till Monday and in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal between September 12 and 14.

    The weatherman predicted very heavy rainfall in Gangetic West Bengal on September 11 and 12.

    Squally weather conditions with wind speed exceeding 45 kmph will prevail along and off the West Bengal-Odisha coasts over the next 36 hours.

    The weatherman advised fishermen not to venture into deep seas from Saturday till Monday.

  • Five dead, Char Dham Yatra halted as heavy rains lash Uttarakhand

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN:  Incessant rains have been lashing parts of Uttarakhand since October 16, forcing the state to temporarily suspend the Char Dham Yatra on Monday. Higher reaches of the hill state, including Darma, Vyas and Johar Valley, have received snowfall of more than six inches in the last 48 hours. 

    Earlier, the MeT department issued a warning for three days from October 17. Districts of Pauri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar, Champawat, and Chamoli remain worst affected by incessant showers. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday and assured him of all help.

    At least five people, three in Pauri district and two in Champawat district, have died due to rain-induced landslides. Many villagers have said that they have not seen such rainfall in their lifetime. The government has instructed authorities in all 13 districts to take precautionary measures. The government has already deployed 34 teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) across all districts.

    Anil Sharma, assistant commandant from the SDRF who is stationed in Srinagar in Pauri district, said: “We are monitoring the situation and on alert 24×7. Our workforce and equipment are all in place for immediate rescue efforts.”

    Hundreds of villagers are stranded following 50 minor landslides that have blocked over 59 connecting roads. More than 200 people trapped in Purnagiri of Champawat district were rescued while over 2,000 pilgrims of Char Dham Yatra were sheltered at safe locations.

    Bikram Singh, director of Uttarakhand MeT department said, “The rains are result of western disturbances. This can continue at least till Tuesday evening.” The meteorological department issued a special release on Sunday sounding a red alert for rains in several parts of the state. 

    Red alert for more rainsThe state Met department has sounded red alert for rains in parts of the state. It advised people living in landslide-prone areas to remain alert

  • MeT department predicts more rainfall in flood-hit West Bengal

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The already grim flood situation in south Bengal is likely to worsen with the MeT department on Wednesday predicting heavy rainfall in the region owing to a cyclonic circulation over the north Bay of Bengal and the presence of an active monsoon trough.

    Several districts, including South 24 Parganas, Howrah, East Midnapore and Hooghly, are reeling under flood woes following heavy rain and subsequent discharge of water from Damodar Valley Corporation dams.

    “Due to a cyclonic circulation over north Bay of Bengal and its adjoining areas and the movement of a monsoon trough from Sriniketan, Diamond Harbour to northeast Bay of Bengal, widespread rainfall activity is likely in the districts of Gangetic West Bengal from August 4 to 6,” regional MeT department director GK Das said.

    He warned of heavy to very heavy rain at one or two places in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Howrah and Hooghly districts till Thursday morning.

    The MeT department said that heavy rain is expected to occur at one or two places in Kolkata, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum and Jhargram districts. The downpour is likely to continue in South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur till Friday morning, and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia districts till Saturday morning, it said.

    The weatherman also cautioned against rise in water level of rivers and inundation of low-lying areas in Gangetic West Bengal. At least 15 people died, and over three lakh got displaced after heavy rain over the past few days, followed by release of water from DVC dams flooded large parts of six districts in the state.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Chief Minister Banerjee earlier in the day to take stock of the flood situation, and assured her of central assistance.