The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘orange’ alert for very heavy rain in sections of ten districts amid flash floods in Himachal. The weather department gave an orange alert for the state’s ten districts, stating that Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una may have heavy rainfall.

The meteorological office warned of significant flash floods in Himachal, in isolated areas of seven of the state’s twelve districts — Kangra, Sirmaur, Chamba, Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Mandi. The meteorological office also warned of the likelihood of landslides and flash floods in sensitive regions of Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Kinnaur districts, as well as damage to plantations and standing crops, vulnerable structures and kutcha huts caused by strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Residents and visitors to the state have been encouraged to keep vigilance and take safety precautions. Weather conditions are predicted to considerably impact daily activities, including the possibility of flash floods in these regions.

An IMD scientist, Naresh Kumar, said there could be heavy rainfall in West Rajasthan. Over the next two days, Punjab and Haryana can expect isolated heavy rain. Heavy rainfall is expected in northeastern states over the next five days. Light to moderate rain is expected in Delhi-NCR over the next three days.

As the weather bureau states, the monsoon trough is shifting northward, increasing moisture flow in the eastern and southwestern regions. This shift is predicted to result in substantial rainfall, notably in the Kangra, Hamirpur, and Chamba districts.

The weather bureau stated, “We have already issued an advisory for rain and floods in the region. Cloud cover is persistent throughout the state, resulting in extensive fog. Light rain is currently falling in Shimla and surrounding areas.”

Meanwhile, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the agency’s heavy rainfall forecasts have improved by 30 to 40% over the previous five years and should be used to reduce the loss of life and property during extreme precipitation events.

As reported by PTI, Mohapatra said, “There has been a 30 to 40% advancement in the India Meteorological Department’s heavy rainfall forecasting accuracy in the last five years, and it might increase by 10 to 15% in the next five to seven years with the expansion of the monitoring network and numerical modelling systems“.

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