IMD has issued a warning for more landslides and other weather-related disasters as it predicts above-normal rainfall for the month of September. This forecast comes as the country is already dealing with the aftermath of devastating landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts in states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
What the Forecast Means
According to IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the expected above-normal rainfall can lead to an “episodic occurrence of cloudbursts, mudslides, and landslides.” The forecast is based on a robust monsoon revival in the latter half of August, driven by the formation of four low-pressure systems.
- Current Rainfall Data: From June 1 to August 31, India received 743.1 mm of rainfall, which is about 6% above the long-period average.
- September Outlook: The monthly average rainfall for September is expected to exceed the long-period average of 167.9 mm.
Areas at High Risk
The warning highlights the vulnerability of several regions, particularly those in the Himalayan and adjoining plains.
- Uttarakhand, South Haryana, Delhi, and North Rajasthan: Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand could cause rivers to flood, impacting downstream cities and towns. The IMD specifically warned that this could disrupt normal life in south Haryana, Delhi, and north Rajasthan.
- Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir: These states have already been severely impacted, with landslides and floods leading to road closures and significant loss of life. In Himachal Pradesh alone, over 800 roads are closed and the death toll has reached 320 since June.
Mohapatra also noted a recent trend: September rainfall has been increasing since 1980, and the monsoon withdrawal date has shifted later, indicating a longer period of rainfall activity in the country.