The monsoon has finally gained momentum, bringing much-needed relief in the form of showers across the country. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall is expected in parts of the west coast, central, and north India over the next ten days.
Weather: After a period of inactivity, the southwest monsoon has made a b comeback and is now becoming active across the country. Relief in the form of rain is falling from Kerala to Kashmir, leading to a drop in temperature and a cooler climate. The IMD has issued red, orange, and yellow alerts for various parts of the country for the next two days, June 17th and 18th. Heavy rainfall and b winds are being observed across most of India, including Mumbai, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Kashmir, and the northeastern states, due to the monsoon's impact.
Why is the Monsoon's Acceleration Crucial?
The monsoon's progress is considered extremely important for India's agriculture and water supply systems. Its pace slowed down at the beginning of June this year, but it has now picked up the expected speed and strengthened its grip from the west coast to central and north India. According to the meteorological department, a temperature drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is expected in the coming 4-5 days, bringing relief from the intense heat to most parts of the country.
Where will the heavy rainfall occur?
According to the IMD, the monsoon had spread to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and surrounding areas by Monday. It is now rapidly moving towards eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar. Simultaneously, intermittent heavy rainfall is occurring from Mumbai to Kerala and Jammu to Arunachal Pradesh.
Complete Alert List
- Red Alert - Gujarat: Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in the next 48 hours, with the possibility of rising river levels and urban flooding.
- Orange Alert - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Goa, coastal Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, and almost all northeastern states.
- Yellow Alert - Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Sikkim, Puducherry, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Mumbai's Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Daily Life
Heavy rain wreaked havoc in Mumbai on Monday. Daylong torrential rain inundated many areas, severely affecting road traffic, local trains, metro, and air services. The city recorded an average of 100 mm of rainfall, and in some areas, metro services were disrupted due to b winds blowing plastic sheets onto overhead lines. Since June 1st, 18 people have died in rain-related incidents.
Flights have been affected by the rainfall in Mumbai. IndiGo Airlines issued an advisory to passengers, urging them to be prepared for potential flight delays and to keep their travel plans flexible. The airline requested passengers to check their flight status regularly.
Red Alert in Kerala, Rail and Road Services Affected
Heavy rainfall in northern Kerala has caused alarming conditions. River levels in Kannur and Kasaragod districts have crossed the danger mark. The Tejaswini and Puzha rivers are in spate. Hundreds of people have been moved to relief camps due to flooding. Rail services have also been affected, with several trains cancelled or delayed.
Pre-Monsoon Arrival in Jammu & Kashmir
Pre-monsoon rains have begun in Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in a drop in temperature. The temperature in Katra was recorded at 29.9°C, approximately 6 degrees below normal. Winds blew at 50 km per hour, and light to moderate rain fell in many areas. The meteorological department indicated that the monsoon will be fully active in the state during the Amarnath Yatra.
Due to the monsoon's activity, temperatures have dropped significantly in the central and northern parts of the country. In areas like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, where temperatures reached 45 degrees, the mercury has now fallen below 38 degrees.
