Weather Update: Red Alert in Maharashtra, Orange Alert in These States

New Delhi: Heavy rains continue to lash several states of India, prompting authorities to issue red alerts in Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Orange alerts have been issued in several districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. A yellow alert has been issued for Himachal Pradesh, warning of heavy rainfall in the region.

Red Alert in Maharashtra 

Maharashtra is also experiencing heavy rain in the Vidarbha region. A red alert has been issued there, with authorities warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the Amaravati district. Other areas in the state are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.

Gujarat Continues to Experience Heavy Rainfall

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in most parts of Gujarat for the next five days, extending until Thursday. Although the state has avoided the direct impact of the rare Cyclone Asna, which was expected to affect the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, Gujarat will still experience strong winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h. An orange alert remains active for heavy rainfall in districts including Vadodara, Bharuch, Anand, Narmada, Panchmahal, Dahod, and Chhota Udepur.

Madhya Pradesh and Assam have been grappling with heavy rains since last week. The IMD previously issued a red alert for ten districts in Madhya Pradesh, predicting continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region.

In Assam, the IMD has advised locals to avoid areas prone to waterlogging and to stay away from vulnerable structures.

Himachal Pradesh at Risk of Landslides

In Himachal Pradesh, the IMD has issued a yellow alert due to ongoing heavy rainfall, which is expected to continue for next few days. The persistent rain has heightened the risk of landslides and flash floods, causing concern for residents in the region.

Flash Flood Warning in Andhra Pradesh

The ongoing downpours, driven by a low-pressure system, have caused widespread flooding, severe property damage, and loss of life, leading to the cancellation of around 140 trains. Flooding has also resulted in road closures, isolating several regions and leaving thousands stranded.

Authorities have issued a flash flood warning for 19 districts in Andhra Pradesh, with a red alert in place for nine districts: Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, and Jogulamba Gadwal. An orange alert has been issued for 12 additional districts.

The weather situation is expected to deteriorate further as the low-pressure system over the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal, observed on Friday, August 30, 2024, intensified into a depression on Saturday morning, August 31, 2024. K. Nagarathna, head of the Meteorological Centre Hyderabad, noted that the system is likely to track west or northwest, bringing more adverse weather to the region.

IMD Predicts ‘Above Normal’ Rainfall in September

As September begins, India is experiencing widespread heavy rainfall. The IMD predicts "above normal" rainfall across various states this month. Besides the heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Assam, which have led to flooding in many areas, parts of Delhi-NCR are also expected to see light showers as the week progresses.