News Analysis India

Tag: Monsoon

  • Weather Forecast: Delhi Braces For Rain On Sunday, Monsoon To Drench South India |

    The maximum temperature in Delhi on Saturday was 39.4 degrees Celsius, a tick over usual, according to the India Meteorological Department. The minimum temperature has risen 0.6 degrees Celsius over the season’s normal, to 28.6 degrees Celsius, it said. Rain poured down in numerous parts of Delhi on Friday, providing reprieve from the city’s extreme heat wave. The national capital received 4 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours that ended at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. The humidity level ranged between 50% and 62%.

    Delhi’s Weather Forecast For Sunday

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted cloudy sky with possibility of light rain or drizzle in Delhi on Sunday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 40 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius respectively. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) of the national capital was recorded in the ‘moderate’ category with 190 points at 6 pm.

    An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good,” 51 and 100 “satisfactory,” 101 and 200 “moderate,” 201 and 300 “poor,” 301 and 400 “very poor,” and 401 and 500 “severe.”

    Heatwave Alert In Parts Of UP:

    Heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over parts south-west and west Uttar Pradesh during the next 24 hours. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have also received relief from the scorching heat.

    Monsoon Alert:

    “Conditions are becoming favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of Bihar and some more parts of east Uttar Pradesh during the next 72 hours,” it said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next few days. The IMD has predicted that the monsoon will reach Delhi by June 30. 

  • Nine people killed in rain incidents over 24 hours in Uttarakhand

    By PTI

    DEHRADUN: Nine people have died in separate rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours across Uttarakhand as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday took stock of the situation and directed all district magistrates to stay on the alert.

    One person is missing in the incidents which also left around half a dozen people injured.

    Two siblings were killed and a third got injured when the hut they were sleeping in was hit by a landslide in the early hours of Wednesday amid incessant rains in Gaurikund, the base camp of Kedarnath Yatra. This was the second landslide in Gaurikund in five days.

    The shack near the helipad in Gaurikund village was hit by a landslide from the top of the hill, burying four of a family in debris, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said.

    A woman named Janaki emerged unhurt out of the debris while her three children got buried under it, he said. On getting the information, rescue teams reached the spot, pulled out the children and took them to a local government hospital.

    #WATCH | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: One out of the two people who were stranded after a wall collapsed near Chaurasi Kutiya in the Laxman Jhula area, has been rescued by a team of SDRF. Search & rescue operation is underway: SDRF(Video Source: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/hCSv9xffUr
    — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 10, 2023
    Eight-year-old Sweety survived the incident and is being treated for injuries. Her younger sister Pinky, 5, and another small child, were declared dead at the hospital. The family living in the hut was from Nepal. The children’s father Satyaraj, a labourer, had gone to his village in Nepal.

    The spot in Gaurikund village is just half a kilometer away from the place where three persons were killed and 20 others went missing in a landslide that occurred on August 4.

    Five people were killed and as many injured in two separate road accidents in the past 24 hours in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, officials said.

    Four people, including a father-son duo, died when their car fell into a deep gorge on Tuesday night at Gumkhal, State Disaster Response Force official Praveen Rathi, who led the rescue operation, told PTI over the phone on Wednesday.

    SDRF personnel rushed to the spot after the accident and launched the rescue operation. The team initially brought out three bodies from the gorge to the main road with the help of rope stretchers, Rathi said. One more occupant of the car remained missing for hours after the accident. However, his body was recovered later, he said.

    The deceased were identified as Chandramohan Singh Bisht (62), his son Atul Bisht (35), and two others — Dinesh Singh (63) and Kamal Bisht (45), the SDRF official said.

    The four men were returning from Gumkhal market to their village Devdali located in Jaiharikhal area when the accident took place, he said.

    #WATCH | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Severe waterlogging witnessed due to incessant rainfall in Dhalwala & Khara areas. SDRF launched a relief & rescue operation last night: SDRF(Visual source: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/XOD3x1QdLH
    — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 10, 2023
    In a similar accident near Mundaneshwar in Kaljikhal block of the district, one woman was killed and five others were injured when their car fell into an 80-metre deep gorge at 2 pm on Wednesday, the disaster control room in Pauri said.

    A woman travelling in a bus was killed and another injured when a rock fell over the vehicle on the Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway at around 8 am.

    The vehicle was coming from Jankichatti to Barkot.

    A man died in Gadarpur area of Udham Singh Nagar district on Tuesday when a tree fell over him.

    He has been identified as 25-year-old Akshay.

    Meanwhile, Dhami took an update on the excessive rains pounding the state and asked all DMs to remain in alert mode.

    He asked all departments to keep coordinating among themselves so that rapid action could be taken in case of a disaster.

    He spoke to the DMs of Rudraprayag, Pauri, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar on the phone and asked them to keep the administrative arrangements ready in advance to deal with any situation that might emerge in areas vulnerable to natural calamities.

    DEHRADUN: Nine people have died in separate rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours across Uttarakhand as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday took stock of the situation and directed all district magistrates to stay on the alert.

    One person is missing in the incidents which also left around half a dozen people injured.

    Two siblings were killed and a third got injured when the hut they were sleeping in was hit by a landslide in the early hours of Wednesday amid incessant rains in Gaurikund, the base camp of Kedarnath Yatra. This was the second landslide in Gaurikund in five days.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The shack near the helipad in Gaurikund village was hit by a landslide from the top of the hill, burying four of a family in debris, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said.

    A woman named Janaki emerged unhurt out of the debris while her three children got buried under it, he said. On getting the information, rescue teams reached the spot, pulled out the children and took them to a local government hospital.

    #WATCH | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: One out of the two people who were stranded after a wall collapsed near Chaurasi Kutiya in the Laxman Jhula area, has been rescued by a team of SDRF. Search & rescue operation is underway: SDRF
    (Video Source: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/hCSv9xffUr
    — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 10, 2023
    Eight-year-old Sweety survived the incident and is being treated for injuries. Her younger sister Pinky, 5, and another small child, were declared dead at the hospital. The family living in the hut was from Nepal. The children’s father Satyaraj, a labourer, had gone to his village in Nepal.

    The spot in Gaurikund village is just half a kilometer away from the place where three persons were killed and 20 others went missing in a landslide that occurred on August 4.

    Five people were killed and as many injured in two separate road accidents in the past 24 hours in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, officials said.

    Four people, including a father-son duo, died when their car fell into a deep gorge on Tuesday night at Gumkhal, State Disaster Response Force official Praveen Rathi, who led the rescue operation, told PTI over the phone on Wednesday.

    SDRF personnel rushed to the spot after the accident and launched the rescue operation. The team initially brought out three bodies from the gorge to the main road with the help of rope stretchers, Rathi said. One more occupant of the car remained missing for hours after the accident. However, his body was recovered later, he said.

    The deceased were identified as Chandramohan Singh Bisht (62), his son Atul Bisht (35), and two others — Dinesh Singh (63) and Kamal Bisht (45), the SDRF official said.

    The four men were returning from Gumkhal market to their village Devdali located in Jaiharikhal area when the accident took place, he said.

    #WATCH | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Severe waterlogging witnessed due to incessant rainfall in Dhalwala & Khara areas. SDRF launched a relief & rescue operation last night: SDRF
    (Visual source: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/XOD3x1QdLH
    — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 10, 2023
    In a similar accident near Mundaneshwar in Kaljikhal block of the district, one woman was killed and five others were injured when their car fell into an 80-metre deep gorge at 2 pm on Wednesday, the disaster control room in Pauri said.

    A woman travelling in a bus was killed and another injured when a rock fell over the vehicle on the Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway at around 8 am.

    The vehicle was coming from Jankichatti to Barkot.

    A man died in Gadarpur area of Udham Singh Nagar district on Tuesday when a tree fell over him.

    He has been identified as 25-year-old Akshay.

    Meanwhile, Dhami took an update on the excessive rains pounding the state and asked all DMs to remain in alert mode.

    He asked all departments to keep coordinating among themselves so that rapid action could be taken in case of a disaster.

    He spoke to the DMs of Rudraprayag, Pauri, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar on the phone and asked them to keep the administrative arrangements ready in advance to deal with any situation that might emerge in areas vulnerable to natural calamities.

  • Fresh spell of rain in Punjab, Haryana; Bhakra dam under watch after surge

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Authorities are keeping a watch on the rising water level in the Bhakra dam as rain lashed many places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday, leaving several low-lying areas inundated in both states.

    The pilgrimage to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, connected through the Kartarpur corridor, was further suspended for the next two days because of the rain.

    The decision was taken following an assessment made by Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal and the BSF officials.

    Following rain in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the water level in the Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar rose from 87,177 cusecs at 8 am to 2,51,987 cusecs at 2 pm, said officials. It, however, dropped to 1,85,738 cusecs at 6 pm, they said.

    The water level in Bhakra dam, the maximum storage capacity of which is 1,680 feet, reached 1,652 feet. Built on the Sutlej river, the dam has seen its water rise by 12 feet since July 16.

    The authorities in Nangal in Punjab’s Rupnagar district have asked people to remain vigilant in the wake of rising water in the dam. With the surge, it will be important to see when the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) decides to release water from its spillways (floodgates).

    The fresh spell of rain has again sent people scampering to shore up resources and protect their property in the two states. The Saturday rain threw normal life out of gear in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur where many areas were inundated.

    An official said about 72 cattle heads, two cows and 70 buffaloes, were rescued from a flooding rivulet in the Talwara area. The seasonal creek was flooded due to heavy rain in the hills in Himachal Pradesh and sub-mountainous areas. The official appealed to people in low-lying areas to move to safer places under the apprehension of inundation from the swollen rivulet.

    Ramdaspur and Gondpur in the Garhdiwala area were also reported flooded. The heritage street near the Golden Temple in Amritsar too was waterlogged.

    In Haryana’s Ambala, the Tangri river was in spate and water entered several houses in some areas of Ambala Cantonment. According to a report from the irrigation department, around 15,000 cusecs of water was released in the Tangri River on Saturday morning.

    The district administration declared the closure of schools in surrounding areas of the dam and appealed to the people living in its vicinity to take shelter in safer places. The water level in the Ghaggar river has also risen.

    According to a report of the weather department in Chandigarh, Haryana’s Ambala Saturday received 13 mm of rainfall while Narnaul received 6 mm, Karnal 46 mm, Panchkula 19 mm, and Yamunanagar 18.5 mm.

    In Punjab, Amritsar was the wettest with 85 mm of rainfall, followed by 74 mm in Ferozepur, 54.5 mm in Jalandhar, 45.5 mm in Moga, 41.5 in Faridkot, 8 mm in SBS Nagar, and 4 mm in Mohali.

    The Union Territory of Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, received 5 mm of rainfall, the MeT department said.

    CHANDIGARH: Authorities are keeping a watch on the rising water level in the Bhakra dam as rain lashed many places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday, leaving several low-lying areas inundated in both states.

    The pilgrimage to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, connected through the Kartarpur corridor, was further suspended for the next two days because of the rain.

    The decision was taken following an assessment made by Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal and the BSF officials.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Following rain in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the water level in the Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar rose from 87,177 cusecs at 8 am to 2,51,987 cusecs at 2 pm, said officials. It, however, dropped to 1,85,738 cusecs at 6 pm, they said.

    The water level in Bhakra dam, the maximum storage capacity of which is 1,680 feet, reached 1,652 feet. Built on the Sutlej river, the dam has seen its water rise by 12 feet since July 16.

    The authorities in Nangal in Punjab’s Rupnagar district have asked people to remain vigilant in the wake of rising water in the dam. With the surge, it will be important to see when the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) decides to release water from its spillways (floodgates).

    The fresh spell of rain has again sent people scampering to shore up resources and protect their property in the two states. The Saturday rain threw normal life out of gear in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur where many areas were inundated.

    An official said about 72 cattle heads, two cows and 70 buffaloes, were rescued from a flooding rivulet in the Talwara area. The seasonal creek was flooded due to heavy rain in the hills in Himachal Pradesh and sub-mountainous areas. The official appealed to people in low-lying areas to move to safer places under the apprehension of inundation from the swollen rivulet.

    Ramdaspur and Gondpur in the Garhdiwala area were also reported flooded. The heritage street near the Golden Temple in Amritsar too was waterlogged.

    In Haryana’s Ambala, the Tangri river was in spate and water entered several houses in some areas of Ambala Cantonment. According to a report from the irrigation department, around 15,000 cusecs of water was released in the Tangri River on Saturday morning.

    The district administration declared the closure of schools in surrounding areas of the dam and appealed to the people living in its vicinity to take shelter in safer places. The water level in the Ghaggar river has also risen.

    According to a report of the weather department in Chandigarh, Haryana’s Ambala Saturday received 13 mm of rainfall while Narnaul received 6 mm, Karnal 46 mm, Panchkula 19 mm, and Yamunanagar 18.5 mm.

    In Punjab, Amritsar was the wettest with 85 mm of rainfall, followed by 74 mm in Ferozepur, 54.5 mm in Jalandhar, 45.5 mm in Moga, 41.5 in Faridkot, 8 mm in SBS Nagar, and 4 mm in Mohali.

    The Union Territory of Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, received 5 mm of rainfall, the MeT department said.

  • Flood fury: Death toll in Punjab, Haryana rises to 62 as both states ramp up repair, relief work

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: At least 62 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana during the recent spell of torrential downpour that battered parts of northern India, officials said on Sunday.

    With floodwaters receding in many areas of the two states, authorities have started working on restoring power and water supplies and repairing damaged infrastructure in flood-hit areas, they said.

    Relief work was still underway in several places, including the Sangrur and Patiala districts of Punjab, and breaches in earthen embankments along the Ghaggar river are being repaired.

    Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday said schools that were ordered to be closed till Sunday will reopen from July 17. He also asked deputy commissioners to take decisions at their own levels in case any school is waterlogged or damaged.

    Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy downpour last week that has left normal life paralysed. According to official data, 32 people have died in Punjab because of rain-related incidents and 30 in neighbouring Haryana.

    Over 26,000 people have so far been evacuated to safer places from waterlogged areas in flood-hit districts of Punjab and more than 5,917 in Haryana.

    The floods caused by the rain have affected 15 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana.

    The health department has been asked to take steps to prevent the outbreak of any water and vector-borne diseases in the flood-affected areas, the officials said.

    The water level at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar was 54,282 cusecs at 8 am which later rose to 81,430 cusecs at 2 pm and then dropped to 61,592 cusecs at 5 pm.

    Speaking to reporters in Rohtak on Sunday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hit out at the AAP leadership for blaming his state over floods in parts of Delhi, saying the blame game is neither in the interest of humanity, the state nor the country.

    AAP leaders have alleged that the BJP-led government in Haryana released excessive water from the barrage which flooded the Yamuna river, with water flowing onto the streets and roads of the national capital.

    The officials said efforts were underway to plug the breach that appeared along the Ghaggar river in Punjab’s Mansa. The breach was formed on Saturday in an embankment near the Chandpura bundh in the Budhlada sub-division.

    The breach caused water from the river to enter the fields in the district’s Gorakhnath and Birewala Dogran villages. It is feared that water may enter other villages as well, the officials said.

    The Mansa district administration has already set up several relief camps for flood-affected people, they said, adding that the ravaging Ghaggar has also inundated swathes of agricultural fields in Haryana’s Fatehabad district.

    In Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, several villages in the Dasuya sub-division were inundated following heavy overnight rain, prompting authorities to shift some residents to safer places, the officials said on Sunday.

    Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the administration has started work on resuming the supply of drinking water, restoring electricity, and repairing the damaged infrastructure.

    “We have gone through a tough situation together and as things slowly return to normalcy, I want to thank each and every person for their patience and cooperation during this time,” Sawhney said to the people of Patiala.

    In Sangrur, the Moonak and Khanauri areas were the worst affected with a swollen Ghaggar inundating vast tracts of land.

    Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said water has started receding gradually in the Ghaggar river and the district administration has continuously been trying to plug the breaches.

    In Kapurthala, as the water level in the flood-affected areas in Sultanpur Lodhi started receding, the district administration said it is fully geared up to implement measures to prevent water-borne diseases. Public announcements were also being made in flood-hit areas, asking people to boil water before drinking. The authorities were also providing cattle feed and fodder in flood-hit areas.

    In Punjab, a total of 148 relief camps are functioning where 3,731 people have been sheltered, the officials said.

    A total of 1,414 villages in 15 districts have been affected by floods in the state, they said.

    Meanwhile, Khattar said a report of assessment of the losses caused to life and property in the state is expected to come from affected districts in the next two days.

    “But according to the information so far, 30 people have lost their lives, 133 houses have been completely damaged, 183 houses partially damaged and 110 animals have died,” he said.

    Khattar said farmers will be asked to register their losses on the ‘e-fasal Kshatipoorti’ portal and after that, a survey will be done.

    In Haryana, 5,917 people have so far been evacuated to safe places with nearly 1,300 villages being ravaged by the floods.

    Thirty-seven relief camps have been opened in the state where 2,852 people have taken shelter, according to Haryana government data updated till 5 pm on Sunday.

    The government said 1.72 lakh hectares of agricultural area were destroyed in the floods.

    CHANDIGARH: At least 62 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana during the recent spell of torrential downpour that battered parts of northern India, officials said on Sunday.

    With floodwaters receding in many areas of the two states, authorities have started working on restoring power and water supplies and repairing damaged infrastructure in flood-hit areas, they said.

    Relief work was still underway in several places, including the Sangrur and Patiala districts of Punjab, and breaches in earthen embankments along the Ghaggar river are being repaired.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday said schools that were ordered to be closed till Sunday will reopen from July 17. He also asked deputy commissioners to take decisions at their own levels in case any school is waterlogged or damaged.

    Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy downpour last week that has left normal life paralysed. According to official data, 32 people have died in Punjab because of rain-related incidents and 30 in neighbouring Haryana.

    Over 26,000 people have so far been evacuated to safer places from waterlogged areas in flood-hit districts of Punjab and more than 5,917 in Haryana.

    The floods caused by the rain have affected 15 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana.

    The health department has been asked to take steps to prevent the outbreak of any water and vector-borne diseases in the flood-affected areas, the officials said.

    The water level at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar was 54,282 cusecs at 8 am which later rose to 81,430 cusecs at 2 pm and then dropped to 61,592 cusecs at 5 pm.

    Speaking to reporters in Rohtak on Sunday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hit out at the AAP leadership for blaming his state over floods in parts of Delhi, saying the blame game is neither in the interest of humanity, the state nor the country.

    AAP leaders have alleged that the BJP-led government in Haryana released excessive water from the barrage which flooded the Yamuna river, with water flowing onto the streets and roads of the national capital.

    The officials said efforts were underway to plug the breach that appeared along the Ghaggar river in Punjab’s Mansa. The breach was formed on Saturday in an embankment near the Chandpura bundh in the Budhlada sub-division.

    The breach caused water from the river to enter the fields in the district’s Gorakhnath and Birewala Dogran villages. It is feared that water may enter other villages as well, the officials said.

    The Mansa district administration has already set up several relief camps for flood-affected people, they said, adding that the ravaging Ghaggar has also inundated swathes of agricultural fields in Haryana’s Fatehabad district.

    In Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, several villages in the Dasuya sub-division were inundated following heavy overnight rain, prompting authorities to shift some residents to safer places, the officials said on Sunday.

    Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the administration has started work on resuming the supply of drinking water, restoring electricity, and repairing the damaged infrastructure.

    “We have gone through a tough situation together and as things slowly return to normalcy, I want to thank each and every person for their patience and cooperation during this time,” Sawhney said to the people of Patiala.

    In Sangrur, the Moonak and Khanauri areas were the worst affected with a swollen Ghaggar inundating vast tracts of land.

    Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said water has started receding gradually in the Ghaggar river and the district administration has continuously been trying to plug the breaches.

    In Kapurthala, as the water level in the flood-affected areas in Sultanpur Lodhi started receding, the district administration said it is fully geared up to implement measures to prevent water-borne diseases. Public announcements were also being made in flood-hit areas, asking people to boil water before drinking. The authorities were also providing cattle feed and fodder in flood-hit areas.

    In Punjab, a total of 148 relief camps are functioning where 3,731 people have been sheltered, the officials said.

    A total of 1,414 villages in 15 districts have been affected by floods in the state, they said.

    Meanwhile, Khattar said a report of assessment of the losses caused to life and property in the state is expected to come from affected districts in the next two days.

    “But according to the information so far, 30 people have lost their lives, 133 houses have been completely damaged, 183 houses partially damaged and 110 animals have died,” he said.

    Khattar said farmers will be asked to register their losses on the ‘e-fasal Kshatipoorti’ portal and after that, a survey will be done.

    In Haryana, 5,917 people have so far been evacuated to safe places with nearly 1,300 villages being ravaged by the floods.

    Thirty-seven relief camps have been opened in the state where 2,852 people have taken shelter, according to Haryana government data updated till 5 pm on Sunday.

    The government said 1.72 lakh hectares of agricultural area were destroyed in the floods.

  • Uttarakhand monsoon ‘mayhem’: Red alert issued for seven districts; relief teams on high alert

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Rains lashed many places in Uttarakhand on Sunday, triggering landslides that blocked several roads, including the Badrinath national highway, officials said.

    Uttarakhand, which is facing a natural water disaster due to torrential and destructive rains, has issued a ‘red’ alert across seven districts for the next three days.

    The State Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar for July 17. At the same time, there is an orange alert across the state on July 18. Whereas, there is a yellow alert of rain in all districts for July 19.

    Meteorological Department Director Dr Bikram Singh told TNIE: “A red alert has been declared in view of the possibility of lightning with heavy rains and thunderstorms.”

    Designated officers and departmental nodal officers of the IRS system of disaster management have also been instructed to remain vigilant.

    State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Manikant Mishra told this newspaper, “Additional forces of SDRF’s water police have been deployed at sensitive waterlogged places so that rescue can be done in a short time in case of any untoward incidents.”

    According to information received from the District Disaster Management Control Room Haridwar, “The situation in rural areas remains stable due to lack of more rain on Sunday.”

    The abutment of a bridge on the Joshimath-Malari road was damaged due to debris and excess water flowing into the Girthi Ganga river at Niti Ghati in Chamoli district’s Joshimath.

    “The platform of the Graf bridge on the Joshimath-Malari motorway has been damaged due to excessive water and debris in the Gruthi Ganga river, about eight kilometres from Malari to Sumna,” Joshimath SDM Kumkum Joshi told this newspaper.

    There was no movement of common people on the said motor bridge, which was only used by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

    Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations continued in flood-hit areas in Haridwar.

    National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Army and police are carrying out the operations in Roorkee, Bhagwanpur, Laksar and Haridwar tehsils, the officials said.

    In these tehsils, 3,756 families have been affected in 71 villages. Of these families, 81 have been shifted to relief camps, they said.

    Five people have died in these areas due to the floods. Seven houses have been completely damaged and 201 suffered partial damage. Seventeen roads and nine bridges have also been damaged due to the heavy rains in Haridwar, they added.

    The water level in the Kali River in Pithoragarh district’s Dharchula has crossed the warning level of 889 metres, while several other rivers, including the Ganga, are flowing close to the danger mark, the officials said.

    At 70 mm, Kapkot received the maximum rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.

    Mussoorie received 61 mm of rainfall, Karnprayag 57 mm, Chamoli 54.4 mm, Nagthat 53 mm, Mohkampur 48 mm, Vikasnagar 41 mm and Uttarkashi 39 mm.

    The officials said 2,000-3,000 cusecs of water were released from the Srinagar Hydro Electric Project dam in the Pauri district as the Alaknanda River was flowing above the warning level, the officials said.

    The State Emergency Operation Center has instructed the district magistrates of Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun and Haridwar to take necessary precautions, they said.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

    DEHRADUN: Rains lashed many places in Uttarakhand on Sunday, triggering landslides that blocked several roads, including the Badrinath national highway, officials said.

    Uttarakhand, which is facing a natural water disaster due to torrential and destructive rains, has issued a ‘red’ alert across seven districts for the next three days.

    googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The State Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar for July 17. At the same time, there is an orange alert across the state on July 18. Whereas, there is a yellow alert of rain in all districts for July 19.

    Meteorological Department Director Dr Bikram Singh told TNIE: “A red alert has been declared in view of the possibility of lightning with heavy rains and thunderstorms.”

    Designated officers and departmental nodal officers of the IRS system of disaster management have also been instructed to remain vigilant.

    State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Manikant Mishra told this newspaper, “Additional forces of SDRF’s water police have been deployed at sensitive waterlogged places so that rescue can be done in a short time in case of any untoward incidents.”

    According to information received from the District Disaster Management Control Room Haridwar, “The situation in rural areas remains stable due to lack of more rain on Sunday.”

    The abutment of a bridge on the Joshimath-Malari road was damaged due to debris and excess water flowing into the Girthi Ganga river at Niti Ghati in Chamoli district’s Joshimath.

    “The platform of the Graf bridge on the Joshimath-Malari motorway has been damaged due to excessive water and debris in the Gruthi Ganga river, about eight kilometres from Malari to Sumna,” Joshimath SDM Kumkum Joshi told this newspaper.

    There was no movement of common people on the said motor bridge, which was only used by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

    Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations continued in flood-hit areas in Haridwar.

    National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Army and police are carrying out the operations in Roorkee, Bhagwanpur, Laksar and Haridwar tehsils, the officials said.

    In these tehsils, 3,756 families have been affected in 71 villages. Of these families, 81 have been shifted to relief camps, they said.

    Five people have died in these areas due to the floods. Seven houses have been completely damaged and 201 suffered partial damage. Seventeen roads and nine bridges have also been damaged due to the heavy rains in Haridwar, they added.

    The water level in the Kali River in Pithoragarh district’s Dharchula has crossed the warning level of 889 metres, while several other rivers, including the Ganga, are flowing close to the danger mark, the officials said.

    At 70 mm, Kapkot received the maximum rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.

    Mussoorie received 61 mm of rainfall, Karnprayag 57 mm, Chamoli 54.4 mm, Nagthat 53 mm, Mohkampur 48 mm, Vikasnagar 41 mm and Uttarkashi 39 mm.

    The officials said 2,000-3,000 cusecs of water were released from the Srinagar Hydro Electric Project dam in the Pauri district as the Alaknanda River was flowing above the warning level, the officials said.

    The State Emergency Operation Center has instructed the district magistrates of Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun and Haridwar to take necessary precautions, they said.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

  • Monsoon fury forces ICMR to issue snakebite cure guidelines for health workers

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As snakebite cases have started rising because of the rains, the ICMR is soon going to roll out a series of educational materials in Hindi, English and Odiya for medical officers in the community and public health centres due to their lack of knowledge on its treatment.

    The educational material for health workers will also be published in other regional languages, especially in the states where snakebite cases are rampant.

    The idea to come out with these educational materials was also to assist ASHAs, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and other health workers to identify snake bites early, provide effective first aid, and timely referrals to the nearest healthcare facility.

    The material has been jointly prepared by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRH), Mumbai.

    The booklet pictorially depicts the commonly found snake species, signs and symptoms of snakebite envenomation and outlines first aid and preventive measures for the same.

    “We hope this material will help in high-burden areas across India and will prove effective in reducing deaths and disabilities associated with snakebite envenomation,” said Dr Rahul K. Gajbhiye, Scientist D and DBT Wellcome India Alliance, clinical and public health intermediate Fellow, Head Clinical Research Department ICMR-NIRRH.

    “As part of our national snakebite implementation project, we developed medical officers’ flow chart for snakebite treatment. Medical officers in PHC and CHC should be able to treat snakebite cases using the document,” Gajbhiye told The New Indian Express.

    “There was a lack of appropriate IEC material on snakebite and training manual for ANMs, MPW and ASHAS so we developed these educational materials in consultation with snakebite experts, herpetologists, scientists, physicians and community health experts,” he added.

    ALSO READ | Orange alert issued for Uttarakhand till July 18, devastating monsoon continues

    “We are disseminating these educational materials from this month as snakebite cases started rising after the monsoon,” he said.

    It was also felt that this educational material – which also lists the identification of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, common hiding places for snakes, and symptoms – should be shared with the health workers as they are the first ones to get in contact with the victims.

    But as most of them are unaware of its treatment, the chances of deaths increase.

    Eight states — Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — shared the burden of about 70% of snakebite deaths from 2001 to 2014.

    Snakebite envenomation (SBE) is an acute, life-threatening, time-limiting, medical emergency affecting 1.8-2.7 million people with estimated 138,000 deaths annually across the globe.

    India contributes an average of 58,000 deaths annually. India is one of the world’s most affected countries due to the large population engaged in agricultural activities.

    It is estimated that India had 1.2 million snakebite deaths (average 58,000/year) from 2000 to 2019 which is an increase of about 8000 cases/year compared to the earlier estimated survey (2001-2003).

    Gajbhiye said that the majority of the deaths occurred at home in the rural areas with half of the deaths happening between 30-69 years of age, which is a productive age.

    In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to halve the global burden of snakebites by 2030.

    Being a major contributor to the existing global burden of mortality, India is taking initiatives at the national and regional level to achieve the WHO target of 2030.

    Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) leading to around 81,410 to 137,880 deaths from 1.8 million to 2.7 million cases globally.

    SBE affects around 400,000 people every year causing permanent physical or psychological disabilities including blindness, amputation, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

    It is estimated that in countries with a frail health system and scarcity of anti-venom, one death occurs every five minutes and four more people are disabled permanently due to SBE.

    NEW DELHI: As snakebite cases have started rising because of the rains, the ICMR is soon going to roll out a series of educational materials in Hindi, English and Odiya for medical officers in the community and public health centres due to their lack of knowledge on its treatment.

    The educational material for health workers will also be published in other regional languages, especially in the states where snakebite cases are rampant.

    The idea to come out with these educational materials was also to assist ASHAs, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and other health workers to identify snake bites early, provide effective first aid, and timely referrals to the nearest healthcare facility.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    The material has been jointly prepared by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRH), Mumbai.

    The booklet pictorially depicts the commonly found snake species, signs and symptoms of snakebite envenomation and outlines first aid and preventive measures for the same.

    “We hope this material will help in high-burden areas across India and will prove effective in reducing deaths and disabilities associated with snakebite envenomation,” said Dr Rahul K. Gajbhiye, Scientist D and DBT Wellcome India Alliance, clinical and public health intermediate Fellow, Head Clinical Research Department ICMR-NIRRH.

    “As part of our national snakebite implementation project, we developed medical officers’ flow chart for snakebite treatment. Medical officers in PHC and CHC should be able to treat snakebite cases using the document,” Gajbhiye told The New Indian Express.

    “There was a lack of appropriate IEC material on snakebite and training manual for ANMs, MPW and ASHAS so we developed these educational materials in consultation with snakebite experts, herpetologists, scientists, physicians and community health experts,” he added.

    ALSO READ | Orange alert issued for Uttarakhand till July 18, devastating monsoon continues

    “We are disseminating these educational materials from this month as snakebite cases started rising after the monsoon,” he said.

    It was also felt that this educational material – which also lists the identification of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, common hiding places for snakes, and symptoms – should be shared with the health workers as they are the first ones to get in contact with the victims.

    But as most of them are unaware of its treatment, the chances of deaths increase.

    Eight states — Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — shared the burden of about 70% of snakebite deaths from 2001 to 2014.

    Snakebite envenomation (SBE) is an acute, life-threatening, time-limiting, medical emergency affecting 1.8-2.7 million people with estimated 138,000 deaths annually across the globe.

    India contributes an average of 58,000 deaths annually. India is one of the world’s most affected countries due to the large population engaged in agricultural activities.

    It is estimated that India had 1.2 million snakebite deaths (average 58,000/year) from 2000 to 2019 which is an increase of about 8000 cases/year compared to the earlier estimated survey (2001-2003).

    Gajbhiye said that the majority of the deaths occurred at home in the rural areas with half of the deaths happening between 30-69 years of age, which is a productive age.

    In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to halve the global burden of snakebites by 2030.

    Being a major contributor to the existing global burden of mortality, India is taking initiatives at the national and regional level to achieve the WHO target of 2030.

    Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) leading to around 81,410 to 137,880 deaths from 1.8 million to 2.7 million cases globally.

    SBE affects around 400,000 people every year causing permanent physical or psychological disabilities including blindness, amputation, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

    It is estimated that in countries with a frail health system and scarcity of anti-venom, one death occurs every five minutes and four more people are disabled permanently due to SBE.

  • Cyclone Biparjoy rapidly intensifies into ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm; dampening monsoon

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’, the first storm brewing in the Arabian Sea this year, rapidly intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm with meteorologists predicting a “mild” monsoon onset over Kerala and “weak” progress beyond the southern peninsula under its influence.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday morning said conditions are favourable for monsoon onset over Kerala within two days.

    Meteorologists, however, said the cyclone has been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and the onset over Kerala would be “mild.”

    The MeT office said the very severe cyclonic storm would intensify further and move northwards during the next three days.

    However, the IMD has not yet predicted any major impact on countries adjoining the Arabian Sea, including India, Oman, Iran and Pakistan.

    Meteorologists say the tentative track of the system will be in the northward direction but storms at times defy the predicted track and the intensity.

    Forecasting agencies said the storm has been undergoing “rapid intensification”, escalating from just a cyclonic circulation to a very severe cyclonic storm in just 48 hours, defying earlier predictions.

    Atmospheric conditions and cloud mass indicate that the system is likely to sustain the strength of a very severe cyclone till June 12.

    Scientists say cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea have been intensifying rapidly and retaining their intensity for a longer duration due to climate change.

    According to a study ‘Changing status of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean’, the frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea have increased by about 20 per cent in the post-monsoon period and 40 per cent in the pre-monsoon period.

    There has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, while very severe cyclones have increased by 150 per cent.

    “The increase in cyclone activity in the Arabian Sea is tightly linked to the rising ocean temperatures and increased availability of moisture under global warming. The Arabian Sea used to be cool, but now it is a warm pool,” Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, said.

    “The oceans have become warmer already on account of climate change. In fact, a recent study shows that the Arabian Sea has warmed up by almost 1.2 degrees Celsius since March, thus conditions are very much favourable for the rapid intensification of the system (Cyclone Bipajoy) so it has potential to sustain the strength for a longer period,” Raghu Murtugudde, Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland and IIT Bombay, said.

    Mahesh Palawat, vice president (climate and meteorology) Skymet Weather, said the cloud mass is concentrated around this system and enough moisture is not reaching the Kerala coast.

    Though the criteria for monsoon onset can be met in the next two days, it will not be a thumping start. After the onset over Kerala, the monsoon will remain “weak” until the storm degenerates around June 12, he said.

    “The powerful weather system in the Arabian Sea may spoil the advancement of the monsoon deep inland. Under their influence, the monsoon stream may reach coastal parts, but will struggle to penetrate beyond the Western Ghats,” Skymet Weather had said on Tuesday.

    A senior IMD scientist said the southern peninsula will get rain under the influence of the cyclonic storm and a low-pressure system developing in the Bay of Bengal. However, further progress of the monsoon beyond the southern peninsula will happen after the cyclone degenerates.

    “It would not be the case of classic monsoon onset, satisfying all the given criteria. We would have scattered rains along the West Coast strip, but no inland penetration and widespread rains,” Koll said.

    The southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. In mid-May, the IMD said monsoon might arrive in Kerala by June 4.

    Skymet had predicted the monsoon onset over Kerala on June 7 with an error margin of three days.

    Over the last 150 years, the date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely, the earliest being May 11, 1918 and the most delayed being June 18, 1972, according to IMD data.

    The southwest monsoon arrived in the southern state on May 29 last year, June 3 in 2021, June 1 in 2020, June 8 in 2019 and May 29 in 2018.

    Research shows a delay in the monsoon onset over Kerala (MOK) does not necessarily mean a delay in the monsoon onset over northwest India.

    However, a delay in the MOK is generally associated with a delay in onset at least over the southern states and Mumbai. Scientists say a delayed MOK also does not impact the total rainfall over the country during the season.

    India is expected to get normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season despite the evolving El Nino conditions, the IMD had earlier said.

    Northwest India is expected to see normal to below-normal rainfall. East and northeast, central, and south peninsula are expected to receive normal rainfall at 94-106 per cent of the long-period average of 87 cm.

    Rainfall less than 90 per cent of the long-period average is considered ‘deficient’, between 90 per cent and 95 per cent is ‘below normal’, between 105 per cent and 110 per cent is ‘above normal’ and more than 100 per cent is ‘excess’ precipitation.

    Normal rainfall is critical for India’s agricultural landscape, with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. It is also crucial for replenishing of reservoirs critical for drinking water apart from power generation across the country.

    Rainfed agriculture accounts for about 40 per cent of the country’s total food production, making it a crucial contributor to India’s food security and economic stability.

    NEW DELHI: Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’, the first storm brewing in the Arabian Sea this year, rapidly intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm with meteorologists predicting a “mild” monsoon onset over Kerala and “weak” progress beyond the southern peninsula under its influence.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday morning said conditions are favourable for monsoon onset over Kerala within two days.

    Meteorologists, however, said the cyclone has been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and the onset over Kerala would be “mild.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The MeT office said the very severe cyclonic storm would intensify further and move northwards during the next three days.

    However, the IMD has not yet predicted any major impact on countries adjoining the Arabian Sea, including India, Oman, Iran and Pakistan.

    Meteorologists say the tentative track of the system will be in the northward direction but storms at times defy the predicted track and the intensity.

    Forecasting agencies said the storm has been undergoing “rapid intensification”, escalating from just a cyclonic circulation to a very severe cyclonic storm in just 48 hours, defying earlier predictions.

    Atmospheric conditions and cloud mass indicate that the system is likely to sustain the strength of a very severe cyclone till June 12.

    Scientists say cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea have been intensifying rapidly and retaining their intensity for a longer duration due to climate change.

    According to a study ‘Changing status of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean’, the frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea have increased by about 20 per cent in the post-monsoon period and 40 per cent in the pre-monsoon period.

    There has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, while very severe cyclones have increased by 150 per cent.

    “The increase in cyclone activity in the Arabian Sea is tightly linked to the rising ocean temperatures and increased availability of moisture under global warming. The Arabian Sea used to be cool, but now it is a warm pool,” Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, said.

    “The oceans have become warmer already on account of climate change. In fact, a recent study shows that the Arabian Sea has warmed up by almost 1.2 degrees Celsius since March, thus conditions are very much favourable for the rapid intensification of the system (Cyclone Bipajoy) so it has potential to sustain the strength for a longer period,” Raghu Murtugudde, Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland and IIT Bombay, said.

    Mahesh Palawat, vice president (climate and meteorology) Skymet Weather, said the cloud mass is concentrated around this system and enough moisture is not reaching the Kerala coast.

    Though the criteria for monsoon onset can be met in the next two days, it will not be a thumping start. After the onset over Kerala, the monsoon will remain “weak” until the storm degenerates around June 12, he said.

    “The powerful weather system in the Arabian Sea may spoil the advancement of the monsoon deep inland. Under their influence, the monsoon stream may reach coastal parts, but will struggle to penetrate beyond the Western Ghats,” Skymet Weather had said on Tuesday.

    A senior IMD scientist said the southern peninsula will get rain under the influence of the cyclonic storm and a low-pressure system developing in the Bay of Bengal. However, further progress of the monsoon beyond the southern peninsula will happen after the cyclone degenerates.

    “It would not be the case of classic monsoon onset, satisfying all the given criteria. We would have scattered rains along the West Coast strip, but no inland penetration and widespread rains,” Koll said.

    The southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. In mid-May, the IMD said monsoon might arrive in Kerala by June 4.

    Skymet had predicted the monsoon onset over Kerala on June 7 with an error margin of three days.

    Over the last 150 years, the date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely, the earliest being May 11, 1918 and the most delayed being June 18, 1972, according to IMD data.

    The southwest monsoon arrived in the southern state on May 29 last year, June 3 in 2021, June 1 in 2020, June 8 in 2019 and May 29 in 2018.

    Research shows a delay in the monsoon onset over Kerala (MOK) does not necessarily mean a delay in the monsoon onset over northwest India.

    However, a delay in the MOK is generally associated with a delay in onset at least over the southern states and Mumbai. Scientists say a delayed MOK also does not impact the total rainfall over the country during the season.

    India is expected to get normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season despite the evolving El Nino conditions, the IMD had earlier said.

    Northwest India is expected to see normal to below-normal rainfall. East and northeast, central, and south peninsula are expected to receive normal rainfall at 94-106 per cent of the long-period average of 87 cm.

    Rainfall less than 90 per cent of the long-period average is considered ‘deficient’, between 90 per cent and 95 per cent is ‘below normal’, between 105 per cent and 110 per cent is ‘above normal’ and more than 100 per cent is ‘excess’ precipitation.

    Normal rainfall is critical for India’s agricultural landscape, with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. It is also crucial for replenishing of reservoirs critical for drinking water apart from power generation across the country.

    Rainfed agriculture accounts for about 40 per cent of the country’s total food production, making it a crucial contributor to India’s food security and economic stability.

  • IMD stays with its prediction of normal rains

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:   Most parts of India, barring the northwestern region, will receive normal rainfall this monsoon season, the weather office reiterated on Friday. Releasing its second long-range forecast for southwest monsoon 2023, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said there is high probability of El Nino but an India Ocean weather condition known as Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) will weaken its impact on monsoon rains in India. 

    IMD had predicted normal rains last month as well. “It is El Nino and positive IOD this year. The impact of El Nino in central India was likely to be compensated by positive IOD. But that may not happen in the case of northwest India,” the IMD said on Friday.

    Most areas of south peninsular India, some areas of east-central India and many areas of northeast and extreme north India will have normal to above-normal rainfall. However, many areas of north-west India, west-central India, northern parts of the peninsular India, and along the foothills of Himalayas may get below-normal rainfall.

    Also, the month of June may not give adequate rains except in some regions such as south Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Ladakh. The IMD estimates the rainfall for the season at 96% of the long period average (87%) with a 5% margin of error. So, this year’s seasonal rainfall is pegged at around 83 cm. Private weather forecasting agency Skymet had forecast below-par monsoon for the upcoming season.

    NEW DELHI:   Most parts of India, barring the northwestern region, will receive normal rainfall this monsoon season, the weather office reiterated on Friday. Releasing its second long-range forecast for southwest monsoon 2023, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said there is high probability of El Nino but an India Ocean weather condition known as Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) will weaken its impact on monsoon rains in India. 

    IMD had predicted normal rains last month as well. “It is El Nino and positive IOD this year. The impact of El Nino in central India was likely to be compensated by positive IOD. But that may not happen in the case of northwest India,” the IMD said on Friday.

    Most areas of south peninsular India, some areas of east-central India and many areas of northeast and extreme north India will have normal to above-normal rainfall. However, many areas of north-west India, west-central India, northern parts of the peninsular India, and along the foothills of Himalayas may get below-normal rainfall.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Also, the month of June may not give adequate rains except in some regions such as south Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Ladakh. The IMD estimates the rainfall for the season at 96% of the long period average (87%) with a 5% margin of error. So, this year’s seasonal rainfall is pegged at around 83 cm. Private weather forecasting agency Skymet had forecast below-par monsoon for the upcoming season.

  • Monsoon fury: Two washed away in Rajasthan; locals in MP affected by rain-related incidents

    By PTI

    KOTA/ BHOPAL: Two people were washed away in floods and two others went missing in Baran and Bundi districts of Rajasthan, as heavy rains continued to lash the region on Tuesday.

    Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister Ramesh Meena on Tuesday toured the rain-affected areas of Karauli district.

    “Talked to the Principal Secretary to the CM and apprised him about the flood situation. Many villages have become islands. Villagers need help,” Meena tweeted.

    He instructed officials to arrange food and drinking water for the affected people.

    Torrential rains have created a flood-like situation in Rajasthan’s three districts – Jhalawar, Dholpur and Baran — where the army and disaster relief team carried out operations to rescue about 1,100 people from across the state, officials said on Tuesday.

    An IAF helicopter is also being deployed to airlift more than 50 people stuck in the waterlogged areas in Baran and Jhalawar districts while schools in all four districts of Kota division — Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi — have been shut, they said.

    Secretary of Disaster Management and Relief Department Ashutosh Pednekar said army columns have been deployed in Dholpur and Jhalawar districts.

    Rivers like Chambal, Parvan, Parvati, and Kalisindh are flooded and excess water from overflowing dams is being released by opening their gates.

    ALSO READ | At least 50 dead in rain-related incidents in Himachal, other states in three days

    The body of 35-year-old Premnarayan Suman, a resident of Dabri Kakaji village in Baran district, who had been swept away in the flood on Monday evening, was recovered Tuesday from near his village, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Anta circle) Tarun Kant Somani said.

    In Bundi district, Satyanarayan Prajapat, 50, a resident of Suwasda village fell into a flooded anicut on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to collect fodder for cattle near his village. Prajapat was found dead, Circle Inspector at (Nainwan) Babulal Meena said.

    The bodies of both, Suman and Prajapat, were handed over to their families after post-mortem later in the day.

    In Baran’s Shekhapur village, a 20-year-old man, identified as Ekram, was swept away while crossing a flooded brook along with his two friends Monday evening.

    WATCH |

     

    Locals rescued the two youths, while Ekram has not been located yet, Station House Officer (Kawai) Man Singh said.

    In Kota district, search operations were on to locate Kudeep Chauhan, who had fallen into a swollen Chambal river near Nayapura crematorium ground Monday evening.

    Another youth who had fallen into the Chambal while taking a selfie on Monday evening in Karbala area of Kota city, swam with the flow and came out on the other side of an over-bridge in Nayapura area, an eyewitness said.

    “In Dug town of Jhalawar district, Amritlal Tailor, his wife, and their three children were injured when their thatched house collapsed at around 5.30 am on Tuesday when they were asleep,” Dug SHO Amarnath said.

    “While Amritlal was referred to Jhalawar district hospital with fracture and critical injuries, four others from his family were under treatment at a local government hospital,” he said.

    Baran Collector Narendra Gupta said that 11 people, stranded for two days in the submerged Khurai village under Chabra police station of Baran district, were on Tuesday evening airlifted to a safe place by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.

    Swollen Chambal river following incessant monsoon rains, in Kota on Tuesday

    Jhalawar Collector Bharti Dixit said that 53 persons have been rescued through boats, while 49 others were still stuck by evening and attempts to rescue them were still on.

    During the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, 29 cm rainfall occurred in Jhalawar’s Dug, followed by 26 cm in Arnod (Pratapgarh) and Pidawa (Jhalawar), 23 cm in Bakani (Jhalawar), 17 cm in Gangdhar and Pachpahad (Jhalawar), 16 cm in Aklera (Jhalawar), 15 cm in Asnawar (Jhalawar), and 13 cm in Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar).

    The Met department warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Banswara and Dungarpur districts and heavy rainfall in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts on Tuesday.

    Locals face difficulties in heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh

    As heavy rainfalls continue to hit parts of Madhya Pradesh, the people of the state continue to face difficulties and bear damage to the public properties.

    In central and east Madhya Pradesh, it has been raining heavily for the last 24 hours. Also, there is a possibility of heavy rainfalls in Ratlam, Ujjain, Indore, Dhar, Jhabua and Alirajpur in the coming hours.

    Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed in the rain and flood-affected areas.

    In the last 24 hours, State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) together have rescued over 400 people from floods/excess rain in the state. The following number of people from floods/excess rain: Vidisha (190), Rajgarh (103), Ashoknagar (94), Raisen (7), Jabalpur (5), Mandla (3), Sidhi (2), Guna (3).

    ALSO READ | Rain fury brings life to a halt in several parts of MP, including state capital Bhopal

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj S Chouhan reviewed situations in rain-affected districts of the state and stated that assistance will be given by sending helicopters to Vidisha if need be.

    Chouhan said, “The people of 10 flood-affected villages from Vidisha and Guna districts will be airlifted using two helicopters. NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed for rescue operations in the rain and flood-affected districts of the state.”

    Later, CM reviewed the flood situation in Vidisha district.

    “We will try our best to give adequate compensation for damages due to flood situation. I will soon visit the flood-affected districts of the state,” he said.

    In the state, the Parvati river is flowing at its maximum water level in Guna and the Ken river in Panna is close to its maximum water level. The water level of the Narmada river is 271.56 metres. In Vidisha, the Betwa river and its tributaries are overflowing.

    According to the information received this morning, the water level in dams like Rajghat, Gandhi Sagar, Bargi, Tawa, Handiya, Mohanpura, Barna, Kolar, Omkareshwar, Kaliasot, Bhadbhada etc. has increased significantly.

    Also, 11 gates of Bansujara Dam in Tikamgarh have been opened. Earlier on Monday, a red alert for rainfall has been issued in 39 districts of Madhya Pradesh including Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Neemuch and Mandsaur.

    Apart from this, moderate rainfall is to take place in 12 districts including Indore, Gwalior, Dhar and Khargone.

    Due to the incessant rains, District Collector and Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Singh had on Monday announced that there will be a holiday in all schools of the Narmadapuram district.

    Eight trains diverted on Guna-Maksi route 

    At least eight trains were diverted on Tuesday following the inundation of tracks due to heavy rain, which disrupted the rail traffic between Guna and Maksi in Madhya Pradesh, an official said.

    “Due to incessant rains, flood water reached the railway tracks in Biaora and Kumbhraj, leading to disruption of the rail traffic on the Guna-Maksi route,” said Guna station master RS Meena.

    He said while the eight trains were diverted, the Bina-Nagda train was cancelled.

    Meena said the Bina-Nagda train will move back from Guna while Sabarmati Express was diverted to the Bina-Bhopal route.

    “Some more evening trains may be affected,” he said.

    Many parts of MP, including Bhopal, witnessed heavy downpours over the last few days, leading to power supply disruptions in the state capital and other places. Narmadapuram, Vidisha and Guna districts are hit by floods.

    (With inputs from ANI)

    KOTA/ BHOPAL: Two people were washed away in floods and two others went missing in Baran and Bundi districts of Rajasthan, as heavy rains continued to lash the region on Tuesday.

    Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister Ramesh Meena on Tuesday toured the rain-affected areas of Karauli district.

    “Talked to the Principal Secretary to the CM and apprised him about the flood situation. Many villages have become islands. Villagers need help,” Meena tweeted.

    He instructed officials to arrange food and drinking water for the affected people.

    Torrential rains have created a flood-like situation in Rajasthan’s three districts – Jhalawar, Dholpur and Baran — where the army and disaster relief team carried out operations to rescue about 1,100 people from across the state, officials said on Tuesday.

    An IAF helicopter is also being deployed to airlift more than 50 people stuck in the waterlogged areas in Baran and Jhalawar districts while schools in all four districts of Kota division — Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi — have been shut, they said.

    Secretary of Disaster Management and Relief Department Ashutosh Pednekar said army columns have been deployed in Dholpur and Jhalawar districts.

    Rivers like Chambal, Parvan, Parvati, and Kalisindh are flooded and excess water from overflowing dams is being released by opening their gates.

    ALSO READ | At least 50 dead in rain-related incidents in Himachal, other states in three days

    The body of 35-year-old Premnarayan Suman, a resident of Dabri Kakaji village in Baran district, who had been swept away in the flood on Monday evening, was recovered Tuesday from near his village, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Anta circle) Tarun Kant Somani said.

    In Bundi district, Satyanarayan Prajapat, 50, a resident of Suwasda village fell into a flooded anicut on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to collect fodder for cattle near his village. Prajapat was found dead, Circle Inspector at (Nainwan) Babulal Meena said.

    The bodies of both, Suman and Prajapat, were handed over to their families after post-mortem later in the day.

    In Baran’s Shekhapur village, a 20-year-old man, identified as Ekram, was swept away while crossing a flooded brook along with his two friends Monday evening.

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    Locals rescued the two youths, while Ekram has not been located yet, Station House Officer (Kawai) Man Singh said.

    In Kota district, search operations were on to locate Kudeep Chauhan, who had fallen into a swollen Chambal river near Nayapura crematorium ground Monday evening.

    Another youth who had fallen into the Chambal while taking a selfie on Monday evening in Karbala area of Kota city, swam with the flow and came out on the other side of an over-bridge in Nayapura area, an eyewitness said.

    “In Dug town of Jhalawar district, Amritlal Tailor, his wife, and their three children were injured when their thatched house collapsed at around 5.30 am on Tuesday when they were asleep,” Dug SHO Amarnath said.

    “While Amritlal was referred to Jhalawar district hospital with fracture and critical injuries, four others from his family were under treatment at a local government hospital,” he said.

    Baran Collector Narendra Gupta said that 11 people, stranded for two days in the submerged Khurai village under Chabra police station of Baran district, were on Tuesday evening airlifted to a safe place by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.

    Swollen Chambal river following incessant monsoon rains, in Kota on Tuesday

    Jhalawar Collector Bharti Dixit said that 53 persons have been rescued through boats, while 49 others were still stuck by evening and attempts to rescue them were still on.

    During the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, 29 cm rainfall occurred in Jhalawar’s Dug, followed by 26 cm in Arnod (Pratapgarh) and Pidawa (Jhalawar), 23 cm in Bakani (Jhalawar), 17 cm in Gangdhar and Pachpahad (Jhalawar), 16 cm in Aklera (Jhalawar), 15 cm in Asnawar (Jhalawar), and 13 cm in Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar).

    The Met department warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Banswara and Dungarpur districts and heavy rainfall in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts on Tuesday.

    Locals face difficulties in heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh

    As heavy rainfalls continue to hit parts of Madhya Pradesh, the people of the state continue to face difficulties and bear damage to the public properties.

    In central and east Madhya Pradesh, it has been raining heavily for the last 24 hours. Also, there is a possibility of heavy rainfalls in Ratlam, Ujjain, Indore, Dhar, Jhabua and Alirajpur in the coming hours.

    Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed in the rain and flood-affected areas.

    In the last 24 hours, State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) together have rescued over 400 people from floods/excess rain in the state. The following number of people from floods/excess rain: Vidisha (190), Rajgarh (103), Ashoknagar (94), Raisen (7), Jabalpur (5), Mandla (3), Sidhi (2), Guna (3).

    ALSO READ | Rain fury brings life to a halt in several parts of MP, including state capital Bhopal

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj S Chouhan reviewed situations in rain-affected districts of the state and stated that assistance will be given by sending helicopters to Vidisha if need be.

    Chouhan said, “The people of 10 flood-affected villages from Vidisha and Guna districts will be airlifted using two helicopters. NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed for rescue operations in the rain and flood-affected districts of the state.”

    Later, CM reviewed the flood situation in Vidisha district.

    “We will try our best to give adequate compensation for damages due to flood situation. I will soon visit the flood-affected districts of the state,” he said.

    In the state, the Parvati river is flowing at its maximum water level in Guna and the Ken river in Panna is close to its maximum water level. The water level of the Narmada river is 271.56 metres. In Vidisha, the Betwa river and its tributaries are overflowing.

    According to the information received this morning, the water level in dams like Rajghat, Gandhi Sagar, Bargi, Tawa, Handiya, Mohanpura, Barna, Kolar, Omkareshwar, Kaliasot, Bhadbhada etc. has increased significantly.

    Also, 11 gates of Bansujara Dam in Tikamgarh have been opened. Earlier on Monday, a red alert for rainfall has been issued in 39 districts of Madhya Pradesh including Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Neemuch and Mandsaur.

    Apart from this, moderate rainfall is to take place in 12 districts including Indore, Gwalior, Dhar and Khargone.

    Due to the incessant rains, District Collector and Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Singh had on Monday announced that there will be a holiday in all schools of the Narmadapuram district.

    Eight trains diverted on Guna-Maksi route 

    At least eight trains were diverted on Tuesday following the inundation of tracks due to heavy rain, which disrupted the rail traffic between Guna and Maksi in Madhya Pradesh, an official said.

    “Due to incessant rains, flood water reached the railway tracks in Biaora and Kumbhraj, leading to disruption of the rail traffic on the Guna-Maksi route,” said Guna station master RS Meena.

    He said while the eight trains were diverted, the Bina-Nagda train was cancelled.

    Meena said the Bina-Nagda train will move back from Guna while Sabarmati Express was diverted to the Bina-Bhopal route.

    “Some more evening trains may be affected,” he said.

    Many parts of MP, including Bhopal, witnessed heavy downpours over the last few days, leading to power supply disruptions in the state capital and other places. Narmadapuram, Vidisha and Guna districts are hit by floods.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • Heavy morning showers inundate parts of Mumbai; traffic movement affected 

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Heavy rains and strong winds lashed Mumbai and suburbs on Tuesday morning and flooded many parts of the city within a couple of hours, throwing road traffic out of gear at some places, officials said. 

    A tree fell near a petrol pump close to the Dockyard railway station of the Harbour Line, due to which traffic movement was affected. The tree was later moved aside and the traffic resumed but it was slow, a police official said.

    Some commuters claimed that the local trains, considered as the lifeline of Mumbai, were running late by five to 10 minutes. But, officials of the Western Railway and the Central Railway said the services were running normally.

    There was water-logging up to two feet at some places and vehicular movement was slow in some of the western suburbs, according to the Mumbai police.

    After light showers for a couple of days, heavy rains made a comeback to the metropolis on Monday night. The city and suburbs witnessed incessant showers on Tuesday morning.

    There was water-logging up to two feet at the Andheri subway, and traffic from there was diverted to the S V Road, a police official said. 

    Some areas near the south-bound end of the Bandra-Worli sea link, Mahalaxmi junction, Gamadia junction, Tardeo were also inundated up to 0.5 feet. A similar water-logging was witnessed at the Hindmata junction due to which the south-bound traffic was moving slow.

    Traffic movement was also slow in Pratap Nagar, Jogeshwari in the western suburbs, at some spots on the Western Express Highway, Netaji Palkar Chowk, Everard Nagar and near a family court in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, the official said.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to heavy rain in the city and suburbs with a possibility of a very heavy downpour at isolated places and occasional gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph over the next 24 hours.

    On Monday, the IMD issued an ‘orange’ alert for Mumbai, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city for the next three days.

    The island city (south Mumbai) received 42.42 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period till 8 am on Tuesday as against 12.04 mm the day before.

    The eastern and western suburbs recorded 63.90 mm and 52.43 mm showers, respectively, compared to 22.12 mm and 12.76 mm the previous day, a civic official said.

    The MeT department issues four colour-coded predictions based on the prevailing weather conditions. The green colour indicates no warning, yellow is to keep a watch, orange is to stay alert, while red means a warning and that action needs to be taken.