As heavy rains continue to lash several parts of the country, the total number of flood-related deaths has risen to 774, with Assam recording 45 deaths so far. Northeast India is one of the rainiest pockets of the country and the Southwest Monsoon has already covered most of the states - Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur. In Nagaland too, around 10 people have lost their lives while several others are missing, according to data issued by the MHA’s National Emergency Response Centre.
On Saturday, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya witnessed 47 mm of rains while Shillong saw moderate rains of 9.4 mm. Mizoram recorded moderate rains with Aizawl witnessing 21 mm of rains, and Lengpui 16 mm.
Last week, heavy rains were reported from Nagaland's capital Kohima with the city witnessing a whopping 54 mm of rains, Imphal in Manipur recieved 31 mm of rainfall. In Assam, North Lakhimpur recorded 23.9 mm of rainfall, Silchar 9.2 mm, Golaghat 3.6 mm and Tezpur 8.6 mm rainfall.
Going by the reports provided by the Meteorological Centre, heavy rains have been attributed to the cyclonic circulation over western parts of Assam owing to which moisture incursion has taken place over the northeastern states.
Therefore, moderate to heavy rains are expected over many parts of Northeast India particularly in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Other parts may also recieve rainfall of lesser intensity, according to the weatherman.
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Meanwhile, in a big relief for people across Kerala, the water levels in the Idukki reservoir has been falling slowly. Though incessant downpour has thrown normal life out of gear, the intensity of the rain is now way below the predicted level.
On Sunday, the weather department issued a 'Red alert', asking people to be cautious as there was a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in most places in Idukki, Wayanad, Kannur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram districts. The IMD has also warned fishermen against venturing into the sea.
Terming the unprecedented flood situation in Kerala, ‘very serious’, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also announced Rs 100 crore as immediate central relief for the state. The decision came moments after the minister conducted an aerial survey of worst-hit Idukki and Ernakulam districts.
Meanwhile, up North, red alert has also been issued for another 24 hours in Uttarakhand. Roorkee in Haridwar district was hit by heavy rainfall triggering heavy congestion and waterlogging in many parts of the city.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, "The intensity of rainfall will reduce after tomorrow. Light to moderate rainfall will occur from 15 August. But there is a need to stay alert till Tuesday".
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Similarly, more rains are on the way for already-soaked Himachal Pradesh, prompting authorities to close schools in several districts, including Shimla, Kangra and Solan.
Several roads, incuding National Highway 3 (Chandigarh -Manali) have been blocked due to landslide near Mandi and Panjpula in Chamba district. Road clearing operation is underway.
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