Heavy Rain Alert: 5 States Hit Hard Today

Heavy Rain Alert in 5 States: Rising River Water Levels and Precautions

Authorities have issued a red alert for five states as heavy rains continue to batter the region. Residents in Pune, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are advised to take necessary precautions due to rising river water levels.

Red Alert Issued Across Five States

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of “heavy to extremely heavy rainfall” in western Madhya Pradesh, eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Konkan region, Goa, and central Maharashtra. This alert follows a deep depression in North East Madhya Pradesh and low pressure in southwest Rajasthan.

IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar reported that the monsoon is currently in an active phase. The forecast predicts continued intense rainfall in these regions over the next few days. Notably, Delhi-NCR is expected to remain dry for the next two days.

Impact of Heavy Rainfall

In Gujarat’s Valsad district, seven people stranded in Hinglaj village were rescued by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) due to heavy rain and high tide in the Auranga river. These individuals were fishermen caught in the adverse conditions.

Maharashtra’s Response

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed vigilance in light of significant water discharge from the Khadakwasla, Mulshi, Pavana, and other dams in the Pune region. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and preparing to relocate residents from hazardous areas if necessary.

The Khadakwasla dam has released 35,000 cusecs of water following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas. The Pune district, particularly the ghat section, has seen intense rainfall, prompting the deployment of army personnel to assist in flood-affected areas.

Infrastructure Disruptions

Heavy rains have also led to significant infrastructure disruptions. A cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir forced the closure of the Srinagar-Leh national highway, isolating the Kashmir Valley from Ladakh and rendering the Baltal base camp for the Amarnath Yatra inaccessible.

Damage Reports

The torrential rains have resulted in tragic outcomes. In Kerala’s Wayanad and Himachal Pradesh, landslides have claimed lives, raising the death toll to 358 and 13, respectively. Over 370 individuals stranded along the rain-damaged trek route to Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath have been evacuated.

The Nashik district administration in Maharashtra has urged residents to stay alert due to rising water levels in the Godavari River. A total of 4,000 cusecs of water have been released from the Gangapur dam, contributing to the rising water levels.

In Jharkhand, the East Singhbhum district administration has issued an alert for residents in low-lying areas as several rivers swell due to heavy rainfall.

West Bengal’s Flood Situation

West Bengal has experienced widespread rainfall, with particularly heavy showers reported in Birbhum. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has released 1.2 lakh cusecs of water from the Panchet and Maithon dams. This follows a previous release of 90,000 cusecs from these dams.

Authorities are working to manage the situation and provide assistance to affected residents. It is crucial for those in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines to protect themselves and their families.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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