IMD warns of danger of flash floods in central India as monsoon strengthens | Today’s news
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a low to moderate flash flood warning for parts of Chhattisgarh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Odisha during the next 24 hours, saying heavy rainfall could trigger surface runoff and flooding in low-lying areas where the ground is already saturated.
According to the IMD flash flood advisory, the flash flood warning remains in effect till 11:30 am on July 30 for districts including Balod, Baloda Bazar, Bastar, Bemetara, Bijapur, Dantewara, Dhamtari, Durg, Gariaband, Janjgir-Champa, Kabirdham, Kanker, Kondagaon, Rapur, Narayan Mahasiga, Korea, Rarhan Mahasam in Chhattisgarh and Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Niwari, Sagar, Singrauli and Tikamgarh in East Madhya Pradesh.
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The Met Office has also flagged a similar risk for Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur and Wardha districts in Vidarbha and Anugul, Balangir, Baleshwar, Bargarh, Boudh, Bhadrak, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendujhar, Kendujhar, Nabarnapurarbhan and Sundargarh Districts in Odisha.
The warning comes as the IMD predicts an active phase of southwest monsoon over much of northwest and central India in the next few days, with rainfall expected to remain normal to above normal after a subdued start to the season in several parts of the country.
Monsoon is gathering pace
The IMD forecast isolated heavy rainfall over West Madhya Pradesh on 30 July and Gujarat region on 31 July.
In northwest India, moderate to widespread rainfall is expected over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand from July 30 to August 3. Similar conditions are predicted in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab during 30-31. July and again on 2-3 august East Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh are likely to receive widespread rainfall till August 3, while east Uttar Pradesh is expected to witness wet weather on July 30 and again on August 2-3. West Rajasthan is likely to receive rain during August 1-2.
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In Central India, widespread rainfall is forecast over Vidarbha and West Madhya Pradesh till August 1, East Madhya Pradesh till August 2 and Chhattisgarh till August 3. Rain activity over Vidarbha and West Madhya Pradesh is expected to ease during August 2-3.
The Met Office has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-50 kmph over East and West Madhya Pradesh during July 30 to August 1 and Vidarbha on July 30.
Rain in Delhi
Meanwhile, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms lashed several parts of Delhi-NCR on Tuesday, with the IMD indicating that the wet weather is likely to continue till July 31.
The IMD advised authorities to closely monitor vulnerable watersheds and low-lying areas, warning that continued rain could lead to waterlogging and localized flooding.
During the last 24 hours, extremely heavy rainfall was recorded over Odisha and Uttarakhand. Very heavy rainfall was reported from Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, East Madhya Pradesh, Konkan and Goa and Madhya Maharashtra, while heavy rainfall occurred over Gangetic West Bengal, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Assam, Coastal and South Interior Telangana.
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In its monthly outlook, the IMD said India is likely to see below normal rainfall in July, at less than 94% of the Long Term Average (LPA). The forecast comes after the country’s driest June in more than a decade – and the fifth driest since records began in 1901 – with southwest monsoon rainfall 39.8% below the LPA. India received 99.5 mm of rainfall during the month, against the normal 165.3 mm.
