IMD issues heavy rainfall alert for Gujarat and Rajasthan; Check the latest weather updates for India

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for eastern Rajasthan. The Meteorological Center in Jaipur reported heavy rainfall in Bhilwara district, with the highest recorded in Shahpura, which received 105 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 am on Friday. Light to moderate rain was also observed in several districts, including Udaipur, Tonk, Sirohi, Pali, Pratapgarh, Nagaur, Jaipur, Dungarpur, Bundi, and Chittorgarh.

According to Radheshyam Sharma, the center in charge, a circulation system is currently affecting north-eastern Rajasthan and its surrounding areas. This system is expected to keep the monsoon active in most parts of eastern Rajasthan for the next three to four days. Rain activities are anticipated to continue in some parts of Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, and Jaipur divisions on September 8-9, with a possibility of heavy rainfall in certain areas.

The Meteorological Department noted that the cyclonic circulation associated with the existing low pressure over Bay of Bengal sea is likely to move northwards slowly and intensify into a depression over northwest Bay of Bengal, and adjoining areas of the Gangetic West Bengal, north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around September 9.

This is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to isolated locations in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from September 8-9, and coastal Karnataka from September 7-10.

Heavy rainfall alert in Gujarat. (Express Photo)

Despite floodwaters receding in several parts of Vijayawada, fresh rainfall and a third breach in the Budameru Rivulet have led to renewed flooding in some areas of the city.

Currently, 46,320 flood-affected individuals in Andhra are being housed in 226 relief camps, and 50 teams from the NDRF and SDRF are actively engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Puducherry and its suburbs have also experienced heavy downpours, causing inundation in low-lying areas.

In South Bengal, heavy rainfall is forecasted from September 9, due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. East and West Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, and Jhargram districts are expected to see heavy rainfall on September 9 and 10, while other districts in South Bengal may receive light to moderate rain. The Met Department has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea along the West Bengal-Odisha coast from September 8-10 due to anticipated squally weather with surface winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph.

In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains have led to the closure of 40 roads. The local Met office has warned of a low risk of flash floods in five districts: Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Bilaspur.

Roads closed include 16 in Mandi, 10 in Kangra, 9 in Shimla, 2 in Kullu, and one each in Sirmaur, Una, and Lahaul and Spiti districts.

The weather agency has issued a yellow alert for Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur.

Since the beginning of the monsoon season on June 27, rain-related incidents have resulted in 155 deaths and damage amounting to Rs 1,303 crore in Himachal Pradesh.