HT Digital
June 19, Wednesday:
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across the Northeastern states until June 22. This forecast comes as the region grapples with ongoing monsoon rains, which have already caused significant flooding in Assam.
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“A cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Assam in lower tropospheric levels. Strong south-westerly/southerly winds are prevailing from the Bay of Bengal to northeast India in lower tropospheric levels. Under their influence, widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during the next five days,” an official statement from the Met office said on Tuesday.
The statement further detailed that isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya, as well as Arunachal Pradesh until June 21. For Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, the heavy rainfall is anticipated on June 19 and June 22, with extremely heavy rainfall forecasted for Assam, Meghalaya, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Arunachal Pradesh, on June 19.
Additionally, Sikkim is expected to experience widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 19, and heavy rainfall from June 20 to 22.
The severe weather has already had a deadly impact in Assam, where one more flood-related death was reported from Hailakandi district in Barak Valley on Tuesday. This latest incident has raised the total death toll in the state to 26 during the current wave of floods.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has reported that the floods have affected a population of 1.61 lakh. Fifteen districts have been submerged due to heavy rains over the past few days. The affected districts include Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Hojai, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Tamulpur, Udalguri, Darrang, Dhemaji, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Goalpara, Nagaon, Chirang, and Kokrajhar.
Floods have caused widespread destruction in these areas, with homes, farmlands, and infrastructure inundated by floodwaters. Rescue operations are ongoing, with state authorities working to provide relief and support to affected communities. However, the continuous rainfall forecast poses a significant challenge to these efforts.
Residents in flood-prone areas have been advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions. The state government has set up relief camps and distribution centers to assist those displaced by the floods. Emergency services are on high alert to respond to any further incidents resulting from the predicted heavy rainfall.
The Met office has urged people in the Northeast to remain cautious, particularly in vulnerable regions where the risk of landslides and flash floods is high. The heavy rainfall is expected to exacerbate existing flood conditions, making it crucial for residents and local authorities to remain vigilant and prepared for emergency situations.
The impact of this severe weather extends beyond immediate flooding concerns. Agricultural activities have been disrupted, with many farmlands submerged, threatening crop yields and livelihoods. Transportation networks are also affected, with roads and bridges damaged or impassable due to floodwaters. The prolonged adverse weather is likely to have long-term economic implications for the region.
In conclusion, the Northeast is bracing for continued heavy rainfall, which will likely worsen the already critical flood situation in Assam. As the region deals with the immediate and long-term effects of the monsoon rains, effective coordination between government agencies, emergency services, and local communities remains essential to mitigate the impact and support those affected by the deluge.
