Heavy Rainfall Lashes Delhi-UP, Bengal and Uttarakhand on High Alert for Storms
Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are grappling with heavy rainfall, causing waterlogging and traffic disruptions, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues storm alerts for West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and several other states.
Monsoon Chaos Grips North India
Relentless heavy rainfall battered Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic gridlocks, and power outages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange alerts for West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and parts of Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms and gusty winds through May 6. A cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying the weather, raising concerns about flash floods, crop damage, and urban disruption across northern and eastern India, prompting authorities to urge heightened preparedness.
Delhi-UP Face Urban Deluge
Delhi recorded 50-70 mm of rain in 24 hours, submerging low-lying areas like ITO, Connaught Place, and Dwarka. Uttar Pradesh, particularly Lucknow and Kanpur, saw similar chaos, with flooded roads and disrupted train services. The IMD predicts another 24-48 hours of heavy showers, exacerbating challenges for civic bodies struggling with drainage issues. Authorities have deployed pumps and traffic diversions, but residents face prolonged commuting woes. Farmers in UP, meanwhile, fear crop losses, especially to wheat and pulses, as unseasonal rains threaten harvests.
Storm Threat Looms Over Bengal and Uttarakhand
West Bengal’s coastal districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly, are bracing for thunderstorms with winds up to 70 kmph, driven by the Bay of Bengal system. The IMD warns of potential damage to thatched structures and power lines. In Uttarakhand, heavy rain forecasts for Dehradun, Nainital, and Chamoli raise fears of landslides and flash floods, especially in hilly terrains. The state has mobilized disaster response teams and advised tourists to avoid vulnerable areas like Kedarnath and Badrinath, recalling the 2013 flood devastation.
Nationwide Preparedness Urged
The IMD’s alerts extend to Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha, where lightning and moderate rain could disrupt daily life. State governments are coordinating with the National Disaster Response Force, issuing advisories to avoid open fields and waterlogged areas. Schools in affected regions have suspended classes, and fishermen in Bengal are warned against venturing into the sea. As India grapples with this weather onslaught, the focus is on minimizing damage and ensuring public safety amid nature’s fury.
