HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 16: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for four districts in Assam, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 4-5 days, according to an IMD bulletin released on Sunday.
The districts of Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta and Bongaigaon are expected to experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall until June 18, with Nalbari predicted to receive heavy rainfall.
“Heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls is likely to continue over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya during the next 4-5 days,” the IMD bulletin stated.
The Southwest monsoon, crucial for the onset of rain in the region, has already established itself in the northeastern states. Earlier, the IMD had predicted the arrival of the southwest monsoon in Northeast India by June 5.
The bulletin further noted that a cyclonic circulation is positioned over northeast Assam, with another cyclonic circulation over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal. Additionally, an east-west trough extends from northwest Bihar to Meghalaya in the lower tropospheric levels. Strong southwesterly to southerly winds prevail from the Bay of Bengal towards the northeastern states in the lower tropospheric levels.
“Under these influences, widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) is expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim during the next 5 days,” the bulletin added.
The IMD further warned, “Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura during the next 5 days, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall also likely over Assam & Meghalaya from June 16-20; Arunachal Pradesh on June 17-18; and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim from June 16-18. Isolated exceptionally heavy rainfall is also likely over Assam & Meghalaya on June 18.”
