Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across India, flooding streets, widespread destruction, disrupting traffic, triggering landslides and chaos in multiple states. From north to south and east to west, the monsoon’s relentless downpour has left cities grappling with submerged roads, rescue operations, and widespread chaos.
In its bulletin on Sunday, the IMD issued a ‘red’ alert in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, predicting extremely heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. An ‘orange’ alert has also been issued predicting very heavy rainfall in Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Tripura in the next two days due to a deep depression over Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showed India, this monsoon has received 857.5 mm rainfall as against the normal of 795.9 mm so far. Notably, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab and Chandigarh are among the rain deficit States and two weeks left for departure of monsoon this year.
Data showed East and North-East sub division has received 1047 mm rainfall as against the normal of 1233.9 mm, a deficit of 15 per cent so far; North-West India including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, has received rainfall of 590.9 mm as against the normal of 552.5 mm, around 7 per cent more this season.
Central India received 1068.5 mm as against normal of 906.8 mm rainfall, which is 18 per cent more so far. South Peninsula received 759.8 mm rainfall as against the normal of 631.5 mm, around 20 per cent more this year.
The torrential downpour across Delhi for the past few days has surpassed both annual and seasonal average rainfall in September in the national Capital.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the city has already exceeded the 1,000 mm rainfall mark this month, the highest since 2021 and the second highest in at least the last decade, as against the usual 650 mm of rainfall that it receives during the monsoon season
The month has recorded 125.8 mm of rainfall, which is also 55 per cent higher than normal. Moreover, this continuous spell has brought the city to a halt as rain results in sever waterlogging, closure of underpasses, and traffic snarls, along with occasional reductions in visibility in the city. It has also led to the loss of lives due to drowning and electrocution with reportedly about 40 people dying in Delhi so far.
South Peninsula received 759.8 mm rainfall as against the normal of 631.5 mm, around 20 per cent more this year.
The IMD has also issued a fishermen warning, advising against venturing into the northern Bay of Bengal and the coasts of Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Odisha until the morning of September 16 due to expected rough sea conditions. Squally winds with speeds of 45-55 km/h, gusting up to 50 km/h, are anticipated over Gangetic West Bengal (including Kolkata) and nearby areas in North Odisha and Jharkhand. Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during the severe weather conditions.
As many as 200 people died this monsoon so far. Water leakage has been reported at the Taj Mahal after incessant rain in Agra. The death toll in the collapse of a three-storey house in Zakir Nagar in Meerut has risen to 10 while the rescue work at the site is still underway.
The local meteorological department issued a ‘yellow’ alert for thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places in six districts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday and Wednesday. It also predicted a wet spell in the State till September 21. Over 40 roads were closed in the State and 53 power supply schemes were disrupted on Saturday evening as per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
