As the southwest monsoon has covered the whole country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across different parts of India.
Forecasting heavy rainfall in Goa, the weather department has predicted inundation of houses in low-lying areas, fall of weak trees and structures while incessant rainfall has affected normal life in Kerala as schools declared holiday in many districts and hundreds were displaced from their homes
As the southwest monsoon has covered the whole country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across different parts of India.
Predicting heavy downpour in parts of Goa, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red' alert the state on Thursday.
The weather department has predicted inundation of houses in low-lying areas, fall of weak trees and structures, localised and short-term disruption of essential services, and low visibility during intense rain spells.
The State Disaster Management Authority has set up two different helplines and control rooms, one each in North Goa and South Goa districts, for people to contact in case of any flooding.
“Heavy rains have been observed in Goa. People are advised not to venture into flood-prone areas. In case of any emergency, please contact the control rooms,” the authority said in a media statement issued on Wednesday evening.
As per the IMD, its weather station in state capital Panaji recorded 76.7 mm of rainfall on Wednesday, taking the total seasonal tally to 1,025.6 mm.
The IMD bulletin issued on Wednesday evening said moderate spells of rainfall activity are going on over the talukas of North Goa district.
According to the bulletin,rain-bearing clouds are approaching from the Arabian Sea in North Goa and South Goa districts, which are most likely to experience moderate to heavy rain spells on Thursday.
Heavy downpour continues to lash several parts of Kerala on Thursday.
Incessant rainfall has affected normal life as schools declared holiday in many districts and hundreds were displaced from their homes, which were damaged by uprooted trees or flooded by rising river water, forcing them to take shelter in the relief camps.
In a bid to release rain waters, the shutters of some dams, like Malankara Dam in Idukki district, were opened.
However, in several other dams, the water levels showed a "falling trend", indicating a drop in rainfall intensity as was predicted a day ago by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD had also issued Orange alert in six districts of the state for Thursday.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a Facebook post, had said on Wednesday that a total of 47 camps are functioning in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts and 879 persons have been shifted there.
The Chief Minister also said that as the heavy rains continue, there are possibilities of flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas and therefore, the public and the government agencies should be vigilant and cautious.
A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rains of 6 cm to 20 cm of rain.
Besides Kerala, Karnataka's coastal regions also witnessed extremely heavy rain during past 24 hours.
Delhiites also witnessed another rainy morning.
According to the weather department, minimum temperature in the national capital on Thursday settled at 26.5 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average,
It has been reported that vertain parts of the city also experienced waterlogging and traffic jams.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted more showers over the next few days in the city and adjoining areas.
The maximum temperature on Thursday is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius. As per the data by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 81 (satisfactory category).
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe."