The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an update on a fresh weather advisory warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds in parts of the country in the next few days.
The southwest monsoon is going on and waterlogging, flash floods, traffic disruption in some states and travel delays are high due to the situation.
According to IMD the states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are likely to see varying intensities of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.
The authorities have warned residents and tourists who live in low-lying and flood-prone areas to be on high alert.
Heavy rainfall can cause landslides in hilly areas to happen and urban areas can be flooded and traffic gridlock during peak hours during the day.
Travellers who are planning road trips should check weather forecasts before departure and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain. Highway users that are headed to hill stations should know what road closures, landslide warnings and local administration advice would be up to date and travel to them as well.
Air and train passengers need to keep track of new schedule updates in case of bad weather.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture out to the rough sea along parts of the western and eastern coast where strong winds are expected. Coastal residents are also being told to follow local authorities’ advice.
Strong winds accompanied by thunderstorms can topple trees, destroy temporary structures and disrupt electricity supply in some areas.
Citizens should stay indoors during lightning activity, avoid sheltering under trees, and keep electronic devices protected from power fluctuations.
Emergency teams have been set up in vulnerable districts. State and disaster management agencies monitor rainfall levels and river states in order to respond at the earliest to emergency situations of flooding or landslides.
Active monsoon is an important factor in agriculture as it improves soil moisture and replenishes reservoirs. If rainfall is not contained in a long period the standing crops can get damaged and delayed harvesting in some areas.
Weather experts recommend bringing rain gear, charging mobile phones before travelling, and keeping emergency contact numbers handy.
The IMD is following the weather system and has advised the public to keep up with the latest forecasts and advisories from the official weather service.
In many of the areas where rain is expected to be heavier and in the monsoon season it can be very widespread and for public safety and travel to be avoided to minimize the impact on the region’s travelling is essential in this situation.
