IMD warns of more landslides in Uttarakhand and Himachal in September
PTC Web Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh warning of landslides, mudslides, and flash floods across several northern states, as the country braces for above-normal rainfall in September. The alert comes amid widespread destruction already caused by cloudbursts and torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.
At a virtual press briefing, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the coming weeks may see an “episodic occurrence of cloudbursts, mudslides, and landslides” due to excessive rainfall. Data shows that between June 1 and August 31, India received 743.1 mm of rainfall, which is 6% higher than the long-period average of 700.7 mm. September rainfall, he added, is also expected to surpass its normal average of 167.9 mm.
In Himachal Pradesh, relentless downpours have triggered landslides and flash floods, cutting off more than 800 roads, including three national highways. The state has reported 320 deaths since June. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, a massive cloudburst recently struck the Rajgarh area, prompting large-scale rescue operations.
The IMD further cautioned that flooding rivers could impact Delhi, Haryana, and north Rajasthan, with downstream regions facing heightened risk due to heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. Mohapatra explained that active western disturbances between late July and mid-August intensified the monsoon, causing devastating floods in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as well.
Highlighting a long-term shift, the IMD chief noted that September rainfall has consistently increased since 1980, delaying the monsoon withdrawal date from Rajasthan from September 1 to September 17. Experts say this indicates a pattern of extended rainfall activity across the country.
- With inputs from agencies
