The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorm/lightning are very likely over Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala over the next five days.
“Isolated extremely heavy rainfall also likely over south Gujarat Region and ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on 8 July and over Konkan and Goa on 7 July and 8 July,” the IMD said.
The weather forecasting agency also predicted scattered rainfall activity with isolated heavy rainfall likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during the next five days.
“Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall and thunderstorm/lightning likely over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and Odisha during next five days,” it added.
As heavy rainfall lashed Mumbai, severe waterlogging was recorded in several parts of the city. Waterlogging was recorded in Dadar and Sion areas after Powai Lake started overflowing on Tuesday due to the downpour.
A landslide was also reported near Pratapgarh Fort in Maharashtra’s Satara district on Wednesday following heavy rainfall. No casualties have been reported so far. Another landslide incident was reported on Tuesday in Ghatkopar’s Panchsheel Nagar in Mumbai amidst heavy rains, demolishing a house.
The Central railway informed that the trains on all corridors are running, however, some main and harbour line trains are running late. Several rivers in the state have reached the warning level. The Kundalika River has crossed the warning level and the water level of Amba, Savitri, Patalganga, Ulhas and Garhi rivers is slightly below the warning level.
The IMD also issued an orange alert for Thane, Palghar, Pune, Beed, Latur, Jalna, Parbhani and several other areas in Maharashtra for the next five days. Ratnagiri and Raigad are on red alert.
Amidst the downpour, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed officials to monitor the situation and keep the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) squads ready, said the CM’s office (CMO) on Tuesday.
Particularly in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Thane, Palghar, Sindhudurg and Kolhapur districts, the Chief Minister has directed citizens to inform about the rising water and flood situation due to rains and make arrangements at appropriate places for evacuation.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister directed the district collectors and the Water Resources Department to remain alert and take proper precautions as the water of the Jagbudi and Kajli rivers is flowing at the warning level.
Meanwhile, several people have been feared washed away in flash floods caused by a cloud burst that wreaked havoc at Choj nullah in Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district. The incident has caused considerable damage to the properties and also destroyed the only bridge that leads to the village.
“Flash flood hits Manikaran valley of Kullu district due to heavy rainfall, dozens of houses and camping sites damaged in Choj village,” said Kullu Superintendent of Police Gurdev Sharma.
As many as four people are missing, added the police. He also said that the police and rescue teams are on the spot. “At Chojh village, 4-6 persons and 5 cattle heads are feared washed away. Another landslide occurred on Kasol-Jaimala Road,” added State Emergency Operation Centre in its bulletin.
At Malana Project & II Tehsil Bhuntar of Kullu, a building of the Project has been damaged. In the incident, 25 to 30 employees were stuck in the building. They have been rescued. The SDM Kullu, police and fire team carried out the rescue operation.
Incessant heavy rain continues in Shimla since late Tuesday night.