IMD Rainfall Alert: Heavy Rain Warnings Issued for 18 States – Check Your State’s Weather

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple warnings as the southwest monsoon continues to wreak havoc across the country, from the mountainous regions to the plains. With relentless rainfall battering the western Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, landslides have severely impacted transportation, bringing over 400 roads, including major national highways, to a standstill. The Badrinath highway was closed for an entire day, and the Kedarnath pedestrian route remained impassable for the second consecutive day.

Snowfall on the high peaks of Himachal Pradesh has increased the risk of sudden floods in two districts. Meanwhile, in the plains, rising river levels have caused widespread flooding, submerging roads and paralyzing daily life. The IMD predicts no immediate relief, with warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall in 18 states, including Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, over the next few days.

Heavy Rainfall Across Several States

According to the IMD, a low-pressure area has formed over the northeastern Bay of Bengal, leading to expectations of heavy rainfall in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand until mid-September. Simultaneously, a low-pressure system over northwest Uttar Pradesh is responsible for heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, causing widespread disruption.

The IMD has issued red alerts for exceptionally heavy rainfall in Odisha, West Bengal, and southern Chhattisgarh. Over the next few days, warnings extend to heavy to very heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the northeastern states. The impact of this monsoon is far-reaching, with varying degrees of devastation across multiple regions.

Tragedy Strikes in Uttarakhand: Five Dead, Hundreds of Roads Closed

The torrential rains have caused significant destruction in Uttarakhand, particularly in the Kumaon region, where five individuals, including three women, lost their lives in rain-related incidents. The deaths occurred in different locations, including Lohaghat, Pithoragarh, Almora, Haldwani, and Sitarganj. The heavy rainfall triggered landslides that resulted in the closure of 324 roads across the state, with 185 of these in the Kumaon region alone.

The widespread disruption also led to school closures in several districts, and authorities halted safari services in Corbett National Park. On the Jyotirmath-Malari highway, 47 people were stranded due to road blockages. The Badrinath highway, a key route for pilgrims, remained closed throughout Friday, leaving many travelers stuck. In the Kedarnath region, continuous rain prevented the reopening of the pedestrian route, and dense fog grounded helicopter services, leaving pilgrims unable to proceed with their journeys.

Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh Amid Flood Threats

While Uttarakhand battles heavy rains, neighboring Himachal Pradesh is grappling with both rain and snowfall. Amid a yellow alert for rain, snowfall was reported on the high peaks of Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul on Friday, adding another layer of difficulty to the already challenging conditions.

In the state capital, Shimla, heavy rainfall exacerbated the situation, causing road closures and landslides. The ongoing bad weather has led to the closure of 117 roads, including the Kaza-Samdo National Highway-505, which was blocked due to a landslide at Maling Nalla in Kinnaur. The Shimla Meteorological Center has issued a flood warning for Shimla and Sirmaur districts, with the danger of sudden flooding increasing due to continued rainfall.

Vaishno Devi Helicopter Service Grounded Due to Fog

In Jammu and Kashmir, fog on Trikuta Mountain caused the suspension of helicopter services to Vaishno Devi, leaving pilgrims stranded. However, battery car and ropeway services continued to operate, allowing some movement of devotees. By Friday evening, around 18,000 devotees had embarked on the pilgrimage to the temple, despite the weather challenges. While the fog brought a drop in temperatures, offering relief from the heat, the cloudy weather added to the pilgrims’ difficulties.

Flooding Crisis in Uttar Pradesh: 11 Districts Affected, 17 Dead

The situation in Uttar Pradesh has been particularly grim, with continuous rainfall over the past two days causing severe flooding in many districts. Floodwaters have inundated 36 villages across 11 districts, with 17 people losing their lives in rain-related accidents. The worst-hit areas include Agra, Mathura, Jhansi, and Jalaun, where the relentless rains have led to widespread chaos.

In a particularly harrowing incident, a roadways bus traveling from Delhi to Gauriphanta narrowly escaped being swept away by strong floodwaters on a highway in Lakhimpur Kheri. The bus, carrying 25 passengers, became trapped between the road and a water-filled pit. Fortunately, all passengers were rescued safely, but the incident highlights the perilous conditions in the region.

Devastation in Tripura: CM Seeks Central Assistance

In the northeastern state of Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, seeking assistance in the wake of the devastating floods that have ravaged the state. Between August 19 and 23, Tripura experienced one of the worst floods in recent memory, which claimed the lives of 36 people and left over one lakh individuals homeless.

The Chief Minister reported the widespread destruction to Shah and requested financial aid from the central government to help rebuild the affected regions. With damage on such a massive scale, the state’s recovery will require significant resources and long-term planning to restore normalcy.

IMD’s Extended Forecast and the Ongoing Impact of the Monsoon

The IMD’s forecast indicates that the heavy rains are expected to continue over the weekend and into the coming week. States like Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh are bracing for more rainfall, while those in the Himalayan region, such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, face ongoing threats of landslides, road blockages, and flash floods.

In urban areas, waterlogging is causing major disruptions in cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, with traffic snarls and power outages adding to the woes of residents. Rural areas are experiencing riverine floods, leading to crop damage, loss of livestock, and displacement of villagers.

Preventive Measures and Government Response

State governments have issued advisories, urging people in vulnerable areas to remain indoors and avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. Relief and rescue operations are underway in multiple states, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and other flood-affected regions to assist in evacuation efforts and provide medical aid.

As the monsoon season progresses, the government is also closely monitoring dam levels across the country to prevent breaches and manage water release safely. Authorities have also emphasized the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in flood-prone regions, to mitigate the damage caused by recurring monsoons.

Conclusion

The southwest monsoon continues to test the resilience of the country, with widespread rainfall causing significant damage from the Himalayan states to the plains. While the IMD’s alerts have helped authorities prepare for the worst, the scale of the disaster has left many regions grappling with road closures, landslides, and floods. As relief operations continue and the rains persist, affected communities must brace for more challenges in the days to come.