Weather News: Landslide Blocks NH6 Connecting South Assam, Tripura & Mizoram With Rest of Country; Shah to Address Media at 5pm

One person was killed in a rain-induced landslide in Assam even as the flood situation in the state deteriorated on Saturday with downpours inundating new areas in 10 districts and affecting over 37,000 people, an official bulletin said.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report, Muktar Ali was killed in a landslide in the Dhirenpara area of Kamrup Metropolitan district.

Massive landslides in Meghalaya triggered by heavy rainfall blocked NH-6 cutting the connection of South Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and North Manipur with the rest of the country.

Sonapur Tunnel on NH06 is currently blocked due to recurring mudslides. Commuters are advised to seek alternative routes while efforts are underway to clear the road.

According to IMD, light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places in Rajasthan with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over southwest Rajasthan on June 17; southeast Rajasthan on June 17 and 18. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected over east Rajasthan on June 19.

Over 2000 tourists were stranded in North Sikkim as the road near Chungthang was washed away due to flash floods on June 16.

“BRO Project Swastik worked overnight in heavy rain and inclement weather to create a temporary crossing over the affected area to facilitate the rescue of tourists. Over 300 tourists rescued by 12pm today. Efforts to restore the road connectivity are underway, while the evacuation of tourists would continue,” said Mahendra Rawat, PRO, Army, Guwahati.

According to IMD, isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely over Assam and Meghalaya during 16-18 June. In Assam, rivers are flowing near the danger mark and continuous downpour has inundated few areas across 11 districts.

An IMD official said the steady onset of the southwest-westerly winds is likely to bring rain to the Konkan coast.

“They will help in bringing light to moderate rainfall over the Konkan coast. That is the prediction we have given for the next four to 5 days along the coast. We are expecting maybe a little more rain in South Konkan and are also expecting rain in North Konkan,” the official added.

Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Gandhinagar city in Gujarat on Saturday.

The IMD has predicted that heavy to very heavy falls are likely to continue over northeast India and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during next four days. The weather office added that heat wave to conditions will likely to continue over East India and central India during next three days.

“Cyclone Biparjoy weakened into a deep depression. It is moving in the East-North East direction. Heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely at one or two places over South Rajasthan and adjoining areas of North Gujarat. Due to the cyclone, it is raining only in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Monsoon has nothing to do with this cyclone,” said Dr Mrityunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD.

Despite the onset of monsoon earlier this week, all schools in Patna will remain closed till June 24 due to heatwave conditions. A District Magistrate order has prohibited academic activities in all private and government schools up to Class 12, including pre-schools and Anganwadi centres, in the district.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Kutch and Jakhau ports to take stock of the situation in areas affected by cyclone Biparjoy. He is also set to also hold meetings with Chief Minister and senior officers.

He will leave Delhi around 10.30 am.

Due to the heavy rainfall, the road connecting Singtam – Dikchu – Rangran – Mangan –Chungthang in Sikkim witnessed a number of landslides and washing away of the road.

Heavy rainfall accompanied with strong winds lashed Gujarat’s Banaskantha on Saturday.

Incessant rainfall the road blockage from Mangan to Chungthang at Pegong, Supply khola. Tourists at Lachen and Lachung are asked to stay at their respective hotels keeping in view of road blockage. Over a thousand domestic tourists are stranded in Lachung and more than 800 in Lachen.

Due to heavy rainfall, Saraswati River overflowed and flooded the area around Koteshwar Mahadev temple near Shakti Peeth Ambaji in Banaskantha in Gujarat.

According to a PTI report, an orange alert has bene sounded in South West Garo Hill, West Garo Hill, South Garo Hill, East Garo Hill, West Khasi Hill, RI Bhoi and North Garo Hill in Meghalaya. A red alert was also issued in South West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hill.

A Yellow Alert has been issued for Una, Solan, Kangra, Bilaaspur, Shimla, Kullu, Mamirpur and Chamba in Himachal Pradesh.

According to IMD, Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to weaken further into a Depression during the next 12 hours. The cyclonic storm weakened into a Deep Depression at on June 16 over Southeast Pakistan adjoining Southwest Rajasthan and Kutch about 100 km northeast of Dholavira.

Udaipur witnessed the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy as heavy rain with gusty winds lashed the city.

Light to moderate rain is expected over a few places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Almora districts. Very light to light rainfall is also expected in the hills of Uttarakhand, while dry weather will likely prevail in the plains of Uttarakhand.