Authorities have issued a red alert for five states due to heavy rainfall, urging residents in Pune, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to take precautions as river water levels rise amid incessant rain. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for western Madhya Pradesh, eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Konkan region, Goa, and central Maharashtra, predicting "heavy to extremely heavy rainfall" over the coming days. In these states, river water levels are already rising, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation, advising residents to take necessary precautions.
Speaking to news agency ANI, IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar explained that the monsoon is in its active phase, with a deep depression in North East Madhya Pradesh and low pressure in southwest Rajasthan contributing to the heavy rainfall. He elaborated that they expect extremely heavy rainfall in western Madhya Pradesh, eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Konkan region, Goa, and central Maharashtra. This forecast has prompted the issuance of a red alert. Dr. Kumar added that there will be no rain in Delhi-NCR for the next two days. Additionally, Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are expected to experience heavy rain in the coming days. When the monsoon trough returns to its usual position, light to moderate rainfall is expected in Delhi.
On Monday, the National Defense Response Force (NDRF) rescued seven people stranded in Hinglaj village in Gujarat's Valsad district due to heavy rain and high tide in the Auranga river. The stranded individuals were fishermen who needed immediate assistance. In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed authorities to remain vigilant due to significant water discharge from the Khadakwasla, Mulshi, Pavana, and other dams in the Pune region. He emphasized the importance of relocating residents from hazardous areas to safer locations with the support of the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army if necessary.
Officials from Maharashtra's irrigation department reported that 35,000 cusecs of water have been released from the Khadakwasla dam due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas over the past two weeks. The ghat section of Pune district has experienced particularly intense rainfall in the last two days, leading to severe flooding in some areas. In response, army personnel have been deployed to assist in inundated residential areas in Pune, ensuring the safety and well-being of affected residents.
On Sunday, heavy rains swept across western and central India, while a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir forced the closure of the vital Srinagar-Leh national highway. This disruption severed the Kashmir Valley's connection to Ladakh and rendered the Baltal base camp for the Amarnath Yatra inaccessible. Recent landslides in Kerala's Wayanad and Himachal Pradesh have resulted in a tragic loss of life, with the death toll rising to 358 and 13, respectively. Additionally, over 370 individuals, including pilgrims stranded along the rain-damaged trek route to Uttarakhand's Kedarnath, have been successfully evacuated.
In the wake of rising water levels of the Godavari River due to heavy rains, the Nashik district administration has urged people to stay alert. An official reported that a total of 4,000 cusecs of water were released from the Gangapur dam, leading to a spike in the Godavari's water level, and causing concerns for the safety of residents in low-lying areas. In Jammu and Kashmir, several buildings were damaged, and the Srinagar-Leh national highway was closed following a cloudburst in the Ganderbal district that triggered a flash flood. This closure has effectively isolated the Kashmir Valley from Ladakh, and the Baltal base camp for the Amarnath Yatra has also become inaccessible.
In Jharkhand, heavy rainfall has caused several rivers to swell, prompting the East Singhbhum district administration to issue an alert for residents in low-lying areas to ensure their safety and preparedness. All districts of West Bengal experienced widespread rain, with heavy showers reported in parts of Birbhum. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released 1.2 lakh cusecs of water from the Panchet and Maithon dams along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border on Sunday morning, following a significant discharge from the Tenughat dam upstream. This follows the release of 90,000 cusecs of water from the Panchet and Maithon dams on Saturday, increasing concerns about potential flooding in downstream areas.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents in affected areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heavy rainfall and rising water levels. Emergency services, including the NDRF and SDRF, are on high alert, prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise. The public is advised to avoid non-essential travel, stay away from flooded areas, and follow instructions from local authorities to minimize risk and ensure safety during this challenging time.
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