The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts additional episodes of heavy to very heavy rain over northwest India and the western parts of the peninsular India in the upcoming two to three days, and over the northeast for the next five days. Uttarakhand is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated areas likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall over the next two days. Similarly, West Madhya Pradesh, Sub Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, and Bihar are anticipated to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall today.
IMD also noted that widespread heavy rainfall across India has offset the June deficit, pushing overall monsoon precipitation into surplus. The rainfall deficit in central India has reduced from 14% to 6% between June 30 and July 6. Meanwhile, northeastern states are currently dealing with severe flooding issues.
Light rainfall predicted for Delhi
Delhi continues to experience light rain and high humidity, resulting in a pleasant yet overcast weather condition devoid of sunshine. According to the IMD, Delhi can expect rainfall from July 7 to July 12, with a potential maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius forecasted for July 11. The capital will remain under cloudy skies throughout this period. The IMD further predicts maximum and minimum temperatures around 34 and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively, on Sunday.
IMD issues yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Himachal
Heavy rain hammered parts of Himachal Pradesh, particularly Dharamshala and Palampur in Kangra district, with rainfall exceeding 200 mm. The meteorological office in Shimla has issued a “yellow” alert, cautioning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated places until July 12.
Heavy rain continues in Rajasthan
Heavy rain was reported in several districts including Jaipur, Bundi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Tonk, Nagaur, and Baran. According to Radheshyam Sharma, the director of the Meteorological office in Jaipur, rainfall is anticipated to persist in eastern Rajasthan. There is a likelihood of heavy to very heavy rain in some areas of Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions later on Saturday. Sharma also mentioned that rainfall intensity may decrease across the state on Sunday and June 8, with heavy rainfall expected in northeastern Rajasthan. He further indicated that rainfall activity is forecasted to pick up again around July 9-10.
Heavy rainfall in Bihar, water levels of several rivers rise
According to the latest rainfall bulletin from the Water Resources Department (WRD), light to moderate rain has been recorded in several districts since July 4, including Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Gaya, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Katihar, Khagaria, Munger, Nalanda, Patna, Nawada, Purnea, Saran, Sheikhpura, Siwan, and Vaishali.
In East and West Champaran districts, authorities have relocated residents from low-lying areas to safer locations due to the incessant rain causing rivers and streams to overflow. Officials noted that the increased inflow, coupled with continuous rainfall in Nepal’s catchment areas, has resulted in rivers rising to or above danger levels at multiple locations.
“Due to moderate to heavy rain in certain parts of the state, major rivers such as Kosi, Bagmati, Gandak, Kamla, and Adahrwa have seen rising water levels over the past few days,” stated the WRD report. It highlighted that Kosi is currently flowing above the danger level in Supaul and nearby areas like Basantpur, while in Khagaria and Beldaur, it has reached the warning level as of Friday.
Assam flood situation still critical
Assam is currently grappling with devastating floods, impacting over 2.45 million people across 30 districts, with major rivers surging above the danger level at numerous locations. The affected districts include Cachar, Kamrup, Dhubri, Nagaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Kokrajhar, Karimganj, and Tinsukia.
Floods have also been reported in urban areas of Kamrup (Metropolitan), Kamrup, and Dibrugarh districts. This year’s floods have resulted in 52 fatalities, with an additional 12 lives lost due to landslides and storms.
The Brahmaputra river is currently flowing above the danger mark at Nimatighat, Guwahati, Goalpara, and Dhubri. Similarly, the Barak river and its tributaries, including Dhaleswari in Gharmura, Katakhal in Matizuri, and Kushiyara in Karimganj town, have exceeded their danger levels at various points such as AP Ghat, BP Ghat, Chota Bakra, and Fuletral.
In the Kaziranga National Park, the ongoing floods have tragically claimed the lives of 114 wild animals, while 95 have been successfully rescued as of Saturday, according to officials. Heavy rainfall in Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh has caused rivers to reach warning levels and triggered landslides.