IMD renews red alert for Assam, Meghalaya

GUWAHATI: Amid the torrential downpour in Meghalaya, Assam’s western districts, which share a border with Bhutan and Bangladesh, are now witnessing increased intensity of rain. This has prompted the IMD to renew the “red alert” for Assam and Meghalaya, and add Arunachal Pradesh to the list for the next two days until Tuesday.
IMD officials attribute the heavy to extremely heavy rain in the northeast to moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal due to south-westerly winds blowing towards the NE, giving the indication of a strong southwest monsoon in the region.
IMD’s latest state-wise warning map for the northeastern region, issued on Sunday, also includes an “orange alert” for Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura from Tuesday to Thursday. Additionally, an “orange alert” is in place for Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday and Thursday. For Monday, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are under a “yellow alert”. Mizoram continues to be under a “yellow alert” from Tuesday to Thursday.
A “red alert” indicates imminent adverse climatic conditions, prompting authorities to take action. An “orange alert” signals the need to be prepared, while a “yellow alert” advises authorities to stay updated on weather conditions.
According to IMD records, light to moderate rain occurred at most locations in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, and at many places in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls occurred in Assam and Meghalaya over the past 24 hours.
Isolated heavy to very heavy falls were also recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, with isolated heavy falls noted in Mizoram during the same period.
Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya, counted among the wettest places on Earth, continued to get the heaviest rainfall in the northeast over the past 24 hours. Several weather stations in the western parts of Assam and Meghalaya also reported heavy to extremely heavy rainfall during this period.
Extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in specific locations: Sohra (Cherrapunji) received 45cm, Mawsynram 43cm, Barpeta 30cm, Aie 29cm, Beki 25cm, Manas 24cm, Bahalpur 23cm and Barpeta 23cm.
The Met department has also warned of thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places across all northeastern states. It has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall with the likelihood of extremely heavy falls at isolated places in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on Monday. Heavy rainfall is also very likely at isolated places in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on Monday.