Heavy Rainfall Warning Issued For 26 States: IMD Alerts Citizens

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for 26 states and Union Territories across the country. The warning comes as a precautionary measure to alert citizens of potential flooding and disruptions caused by heavy rainfall.

The IMD has identified several states that are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday. These states include Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Goa, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Sikkim.

The IMD has advised citizens to take necessary precautions and be prepared for possible disruptions caused by heavy rainfall. The residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid travelling to areas that are prone to flooding. The IMD has also warned of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas.

In the meantime, the arrival of monsoon in North India has also brought relief to states that have been facing scorching heat for a long time. 

Heavy Rainfall Expected In Several Districts

A warning has been issued for Pune, Raigad, Satara, Nashik, Mumbai, Thane, and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra, where strong winds, dust storms, lightning, and thunder are also expected during the rain. The IMD has predicted that the monsoon will grip the entire state of Himachal Pradesh by June 25, which is considered 'normal' by the weather department.

On Friday, the monsoon officially entered Himachal Pradesh, five days before its normal onset date of June 25. As the moon arrived early, several parts of the state have already witnessed rainfall, and the Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rains across Himachal over the next 5 to 7 days.

Above-Normal Rainfall Expected

According to the IMD, above-normal rainfall is expected across Himachal Pradesh this year. The average monsoon rainfall is around 734 mm, but this year it is likely to reach 800 mm or even more, which is about 109% of normal. The IMD has warned of poor visibility and the possibility of flash floods or landslides in the coming week.

The IMD has predicted isolated heavy rainfall in several states. Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph over Northwest India during June 20-26.