Monsoon, Weather Update: Heavy Rainfall Likely In Mumbai, Orange Alert In Delhi, Flash Floods In Himachal Pradesh

Mumbai: The coastal region, including Mumbai and Madhya Maharashtra, is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). An IMD official said that synoptic situations such as a low-pressure area formed in the eBay of Bengal, cyclonic circulation over the Kutch region of Gujarat and an active trough spread over Maharashtra to coastal Karnataka would bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours over Konkan including Mumbai and Madhya Maharashtra.

After a long gap, the southwest monsoon has been speedily progressing and covering more and more areas, the official added. Mumbai and its suburbs received heavy rains in the last 24 hours, resulting in water-logging at various places and affecting vehicular movement on some roads.

In a rare event, the monsoon on Sunday covered both Delhi and Mumbai together. The Colaba observatory here, representative of the island city, recorded 86 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday while the Santacruz weather station, representative of suburbs, registered 176.1 mm of rainfall in the same period, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Orange Alert For Delhi

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Delhi on Monday and a yellow alert for the national capital on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Met Department forecast a generally cloudy sky with light rain and thundershowers in Delhi on these three days.

After a slow start this year, the monsoon has made swift progress and reached most parts of the country including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, northeast India, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

2 Dead In Uttarakhand Due To Incessant Rain

In Uttarakhand, two people were killed in rain-related incidents as heavy showers lashed parts of the state on Sunday. In Himachal, the Mandi-Kullu National Highway has been blocked due to incessant rain.

Flash Flood In Himachal

Meanwhile, the flash flood has hit the Bagipul area of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded. Sanjeev Sood, DSP Padhar, Mandi District Police told ANI, "Flash flood has hit the Bagipul area of Mandi district near Prashar Lake, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded near Baggi Bridge on Mandi Prashar Road." DSP Sood further said that people are being evacuated to safer places in the region.

The Mandi police informed that the road leading to Parashar ahead of Kamand was closed due to a flood after a cloudburst around Baghi bridge in Mandi. The police added that a bus of students from Chamba and many vehicles that were coming back from Parashar got stuck. "Facilities have been arranged for their overnight stay as there is no possibility of the road opening tonight", the police said.

Meanwhile, landslides have occurred at many places between Charmile to Satmile on Pandoh-Mandi NH in the state. The police informed that the National Highway has been closed and will take time to open. "Small vehicles from Kullu pass through Chail Chowk from Pandoh towards Sunder Nagar Chandigarh to Ner Chowk", the officials informed.

Mandi-Kullu National Highway Blocked

The police further said that the Mandi-Kullu road via Katola is closed due to a heavy landslide near Kamand and it is expected to open on Monday. "Mandi-Kullu road via Katola is closed due to a heavy landslide near Kamand, it is expected to open tomorrow, and there will be no work at night. About 25-30 vehicles are stuck between that place and another place because of the landslide behind them too. Arrangements are being made for the people to stay, and efforts are being made to clear the debris overnight", the Mandi police added.

Several parts of Kangra City in Himachal have been facing waterlogging following incessant rainfall. Meanwhile, the Mandi police issued a notice informing that severe weather condition with continuous rain and flash flood in Khoti Nala near Aut has blocked Mandi-Kullu National Highway.

"The alternate routes to this highway are also blocked. The Mandi-Joginder Nagar Highway is also closed. The general public/tourists plying on these Highways are advised not to stay on the roads adjacent to mountains as there is a high risk of landslides/rock fall", the police said in the statement. As per the statement, the highway will likely be opened tomorrow. People stuck on either side are advised to turn back and make necessary arrangements to stay for the night in nearby towns.

Heavy Rainfall Likely In Himachal

Additionally, the IMD also issued a weather warning for the state for the next five days. "Heavy rainfall, thunderstorm & lightning are likely at isolated places over plains, and low and mid hills on June 25 & 26. Flash floods are likely to occur in the districts of Kangra, Mandi and Solan, Traffic congestion, poor visibility and disruption in electric supply", said the weather department.

Advising the farmers to make adequate arrangements to avoid consequences of rain, it added, "Damage may occur to standing crops, fruit plants and young seedlings. Farmers are advised to make adequate arrangements to avoid the direct impact of rain, thunder and lightning on the new plants. Farmers are advised to reschedule the spraying of insecticides".

Significantly, incessant rains in the last 24 hours, have caused extensive damage in several parts of Mandi. Several vehicles were washed away due to a flash flood in a rivulet at Janjheli in Mandi district.

Monsoon Arrives in Gujarat, Conditions Favourable for Advancement: IMD

The southwest monsoon entered Gujarat on Sunday with parts of Saurashtra and some districts in the southern region of the state receiving heavy rainfall, officials said. Conditions are now favourable for the progress of the monsoon in the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Traffic at Jammu-Srinagar NH In Ramban Hit Due To Landslide

Vehicular traffic has been disrupted on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Mehad area of Ramban due to shooting stones and landslides since early morning: Traffic Police Jammu and Kashmir.