Monsoon Wrap: Flashflood Warning In Himachal; Severe Waterlogging In Kolkata; Red Alert For Rains In MP

Kolkata and its neighbouring areas have observed incessant rainfall since Monday causing severe waterlogging of roads on Tuesday while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with gusty wind across the region till Wednesday morning.

Several districts of Himachal Pradesh were lashed by heavy rains and floods leading to several reported deaths and the local meteorological department on Tuesday warned of a risk of low to moderate flash floods in parts of seven districts including Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur in the next 24 hours.

IMD has issued a red alert for Mandla and Balaghat districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday, and orange alert of very heavy showers for 10 other districts.

India Monsoon Wrap

Kolkata

Heavy rain lashed several southern West Bengal districts, including Kolkata, since early Tuesday, leading to waterlogging of roads and low-lying areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with gusty wind across the region till Wednesday morning.

Several parts of Kolkata, Salt Lake and Howrah city reported waterlogging as incessant overnight rain lashed the region owing to a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal.

People going to work faced a harrowing time reaching their destination in the morning as the rains continued. Public transport services were also affected, adding to the woes.

The western districts of Purulia and Jhargram are likely to receive heavy rain till Wednesday morning, the IMD said.

Light to moderate rain is likely in many places across southern West Bengal over the next few days, it said.

Uluberia in Howrah district received 111 mm of rainfall, the state's highest in 24 hours till 8.30 am. It was closely followed by Dum Dum, which recorded 99 mm of rainfall.

Kolkata received 81.6 mm of rainfall while adjoining Salt Lake got 88.3 mm of rainfall during the period.

The IMD forecasts a few spells of light to moderate rain with an intense spell in the city till Wednesday morning. 

Himachal Pradesh

With heavy rain pummelling several parts of Himachal Pradesh, the local meteorological department on Tuesday warned of a risk of low to moderate flash floods in parts of seven districts in the next 24 hours.

These districts are Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur.

The meteorological department also issued a 'yellow' alert, warning of heavy rains at isolated places in the state till next Monday.

A total of 225 roads, including 153 in the worst-hit Mandi district, are closed while 163 transformers and 174 water supply schemes are affected in the state, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

Himachal Pradesh has received 203.2 mm of rain against the normal of 152.6 mm from June 1 to July 8.

Mandi district recorded 110 per cent excess rain, Shimla 89 per cent and Una 86 per cent during this period. The monsoon hit Himachal Pradesh on June 20.

Parts of the state have been receiving moderate to heavy rain since Monday evening.

Gohar has recorded 85 mm of rainfall, followed by 84.5 mm in Sarahan, 60 mm in Baijnath, 54.2 mm in Nahan, 48 mm in Poanta Sahib, 46.2 mm in Naina Devi, 37 mm in Kasauli, 28 mm in Jogindernagar, 27.2 mm in Palampur and 19 mm in Shimla, according to the weather office.

Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts and 16 landslides since the onset of monsoon on June 20, and 52 people have died in rain-related incidents in the state so far, officials said.

In Mandi district, search and rescue operations have been intensified. Drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace 28 people who went missing last week in Thunag, Gohar and Karsog subdivisions, they said.

According to official data, Himachal Pradesh has reported 80 deaths since June 20. Of the 80, 52 were linked to rain-related incidents such as cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. The remaining 28 deaths were associated with road accidents, the officials said.

So far, the estimated losses due to rain stand at around Rs 692 crore, according to the SEOC. The figure could climb as the data is still being compiled, the official said.

Madhya Pradesh

While intermittent downpour affected normal life in Madhya Pradesh, the Indian Meteorological Department on Monday issued a red alert for Mandla and Balaghat districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning, and orange alert of very heavy showers for 10 other districts.

It also issued a yellow alert of heavy rainfall for 13 others districts in Madhya Pradesh, which is seeing a wet spell since the last month with the advent of monsoon.

Rainwater entered many localities in Mandla, Balaghat and other districts where flood-like situation was prevailing. Sluice gates of many dams have been opened.

Schools in some districts, including Jabalpur, Balaghat and Mandla, remained closed on Monday, officials said adding they will remain shut in Jabalpur, Balaghat and Mandla on Tuesday also.

People faced a lot of hardship to move around. Commuters reached offices, factories and workplaces late as roads were inundated and drains were flooded in large parts of MP.

In many cities, low vehicular traffic was witnessed. The water level in the Naramda river has gone up dramatically, especially in Mandla district.

MP has received 68 per cent more rainfall from June 1 to July 7. Against average rainfall of 191.3 mm, the state has received 321.2 mm in this period, IMD Bhopal centre's senior Meteorologist Abhijeet Chakraborty told PTI.

A red alert denoting "taken action" warning of extremely heavy rainfall, (more than 204 mm) with has been issued for Mandla and Balaghat, he added.

An orange alerts meaning "be prepared " warning of very heavy rainfall (between 115 and 204.4 mm) has been sounded for ten districts - Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindore, Narmadapuram, Betul, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara and Pandhurna.

Likewise, a yellow alert meaning 'be updated" warning of heavy rainfall (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm) has been issued for 13 district districts, including Raisen, Sehore, Harda and Khargone, he added.

The wet spell is likely to continue in MP till July 13. 

Delhi

 Delhi is under a 'yellow alert' with rain and thunderstorms forecast for Tuesday, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 27 degrees Celsius, 0.9 notch above normal, according to the weather department.

A 'yellow alert' under the IMD's colour-coded warning system indicates the need to "be aware" of potentially impactful weather.

The IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain expected during the day with the maximum temperature likely to settle at 34 degrees Celsius.

Relative humidity was recorded at 70 per cent at 8.30 am.

Meanwhile, the AQI clocked at 85, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) national bulletin.

According to the CPCB, 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".

Jammu and Kashmir

Heavy rain lashed many parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, triggering flash floods in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch that left one person dead, officials said.

Srinagar and other areas in Kashmir were also pounded by torrential rains, ending a prolonged heatwave during which the Valley had experienced the hottest July day in more than 70 years.

A cloudburst occurred in Khori Wala Bela Bala of Loran tehsil in Poonch, where a person identified as Gulam Mohammed lost his life, the officials said.

The intense rainfall triggered a surge in water levels, landslide-like conditions and flash floods in the area this evening, they said, adding that the Loran road was blocked.

Local authorities and rescue teams rushed to the site to assess the situation and carry out relief operations.Gulam Mohammad's body was recovered about 400 metres away and handed over to his family after necessary legal formalities, they said.

The officials have urged residents in the higher reaches of Poonch to remain alert, as weather conditions continue to remain unpredictable.

Heavy rainfall caused inundation of main roads in parts of Rajouri town. Shopkeepers suffered losses as overflowing water entered shops and other business establishments, they said.

In the Darhal area, landslides were triggered by heavy rainfall, damaging several acres of land. A multi-storey house also appears on the verge of collapse due to a landslide.

Several areas in Srinagar, including Downtown, were inundated. The heavy rains flooded roads, leading to massive traffic snarls across the city, the officials said.

Electricity was snapped due to high-speed winds that preceded the rains, they said, adding there were reports of trees and electric poles getting uprooted in many areas of the Valley.

Properties were damaged due to the falling of trees, but there were no reports of any casualties, they said.

"Moderate to heavy rain was reported from most parts of Kashmir, with Srinagar city getting torrential showers," an official said The rains have ended a prolonged heat wave in Kashmir. Srinagar city witnessed the third hottest day ever as mercury soared to 37.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday. This was the hottest day recorded in the Valley since July 5, 1953, when the city had recorded a high of 37.7 degrees