New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, warning of intense rainfall that could trigger floods, landslides and travel disruptions across these states.
Heavy showers are also expected in Delhi, Haryana, East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh over the next two days, while the southern and western belts, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, will continue to witness strong monsoon activity until early September.
In the Northeastern region, rains are likely to persist for five more days. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have additionally been cautioned about thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds.
In Uttarakhand, several districts such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, and Bageshwar are under the highest level of alert, with authorities ordering schools and Anganwadi centres to remain closed in several areas, including Pithoragarh and Almora.
On the other hand, Punjab education authorities have extended school holidays till September 3 due to safety concerns, as floods have been creating a lot of chaos in the state.
In Himachal Pradesh, life has been thrown out of gear due to continuous heavy rains. Schools in 10 districts of Himachal will stay shut today following the red alert.
September Rainfall Outlook
The weather bureau’s latest monthly forecast suggests that September will bring more than average rainfall to most parts of the country. While this could boost agriculture and water storage, the IMD has cautioned about the downside risks of flooding, infrastructure damage and public health issues. Some regions in the far south and parts of east and northeast India, however, may see below-normal rainfall.
With monsoon activity peaking, officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and adhere to government advisories.
