Extreme to very heavy rainfall predicted, even more floods forecast in 12 states

Mumbai is recovering from the horrors of unprecedented rains and consequent floods, and several states are already tottering under deluge. Amidst this scenario, the government on Tuesday warned of ‘extreme to very heavy rainfall’ and moderate floods in 12 other states which will in all probability raise the water levels of 14 rivers and their tributaries.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Union Water Ministry have issued an advisory on ‘very heavy rainfall’ over the next three days in parts of 12 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Daman and Diu.

Of these 12 states, parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat are already bearing the brunt of floods while Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha are already reeling under floods which have affected millions and left several dead.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy fall are very likely to occur in east Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Konkan and Goa, coastal and ghat areas of south interior Karnataka," said a government advisory issued on Tuesday.

"Due to this rainfall, the rivers Mahi, Sabarmati, Banas, Godavari and its tributaries, Krishna and its tributaries, west-flowing rivers south of Tapi, Cauvery and its tributaries are likely to rise and create low to moderate flood in few locations," the advisory said.

The reservoirs and dams on rivers Mahi, Sabarmati, Banas and their tributaries are already holding 90 to 94 per cent of their capacity hence the flood threat perception has been set high for parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Water level in 14 rivers and their tributaries will see rapid rise in the next 48 to 72 hours.

River Mahi and its tributaries are set to affect seven districts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajashtan and Gujarat; Sabarmati river and its tributaries will affect nine districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat while Banas river and its tributaries could flood three districts of Rajashtan and Gujarat.

Floods in Narmada and Tapi basin are set to affect nine districts in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Dams over Damanganga river may affect four districts, including Nasik in Maharashtra, Valsad district of Gujarat and Daman district in Daman and Diu.

Moderate to low floods are likely due to rapid rise in waters of river Godavari, Indravati and their tributaries, affecting 10 districts in Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

River Krishna, Tungabhadra and its tributaries are likely to rise in 12 upstream districts, including Satara, Kolhapur, Pune, Sholapur in Maharashtra and others, including Ballari district of Karnataka.

The advisory also issued caution for seven other districts in Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka due to rise in west flowing rivers. Cauveri and its tributaries are also set to rise affecting four district of Karnataka and Kerala, though the ministry claims that the reservoirs there have efficient storage.

River Bhavani and Moyar are also set to affects part of Tamil Nadu, the advisory said, adding that in Tamil Nadu the threat of floods is not immediate.

(Agency inputs)