Heavy rainfall warnings in six states, NDRF on standby
1 min read . Updated: 10 Aug 2016, 05:11 PM IST
PremiumIMD issues red alert warning for Chhattisgarh for the next two days; Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha for Wednesday; Rajasthan for the next two days
New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across six states in the next four days. The government weather forecaster issued a red alert warning for Chhattisgarh for the next two days; Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha for Wednesday, and Rajasthan for the next two days.
Since the monsoon season started in June, 28% of the country’s area has recorded excess rainfall, while 56% of the area has received normal rainfall. So far, the country has received 3% excess rainfall this monsoon season. IMD has forecast 107% of the Long Period Average rain in August and September.
According to a National Disaster Management Authority official, standby teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are deployed in around 18 places in the country. Operational teams are deployed in Assam, West Bengal, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.
Rajasthan has been facing very heavy rainfall in the past few days with reports of flood-like situation in parts of the desert state. On Tuesday, west Rajasthan recorded 782% more than average rainfall and east Rajasthan recorded 436% more than normal rainfall. Two NDRF teams have been deployed in the state.
Although the flood situation in Assam has eased, the Dhansiri river in the state is still flowing above the danger mark.
Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, which faced drought-like conditions last year, have also recorded excess rainfall this year, causing concerns for the crops. Madhya Pradesh, which has already faced floods this monsoon, along with Rayalaseema and northern interior Karnataka, have also recorded excess rainfall during the rainy season so far.
NDRF personnel have been deployed in metros such as Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi in anticipation of flood-like situation. IMD has forecast above normal rainfall at 106% of Long Period Average.
