Kerala and Karnataka are likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall this week, with a risk of major rivers breaching their banks and causing widespread flooding.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that heavy to very heavy rainfall (70 to 200 mm in 24 hours) is likely over Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Northeast India, as well as sub-Himalayan West Bengal, during the next week.
The weather office also warned of extremely heavy rainfall (over 200 mm in 24 hours) in Karnataka and Kerala Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Central Water Commission (CWC) issued a flood warning for Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal, in view of intense rainfall expected in the coming days.
In its advisory for Kerala, CWC said authorities should check for rising water levels across major rivers, including Bharathapuzha, Periyar, Meenachil, Chalakudy, Pamba, Kabini, Chaliyar, Uppala, and Kuppam, till June 10.
In Karnataka, the advisory is in effect for the Cauvery, Netravati, Shambhavi, Varadha, and Tungabhadra until June 10.
In view of the heavy rainfall over the sub-Himalayan West Bengal, the CWC advisory is for the rivers Teesta, Raidak, Sankosh, and their tributaries.
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The Southwest Monsoon has maintained a steady progress stride for the fourth straight day since its June 4 onset this year. With its latest advance Monday, the monsoon has made an onset over Solapur and Harnai in Southern Maharashtra, and entered Telangana while covering more areas in Karnataka, Southern Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
“The southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, some parts of Telangana, along with more areas of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal on Monday,” IMD said.
As of Monday, the northern limit of the monsoon passed Harnai, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Nandyal, Chennai, Kailashahar, Lamding, and North Lakhimpur.
Mawsynram, considered one of the world’s wettest places, recorded 110 mm of rainfall Monday. Northern Kerala districts and coastal and northern districts of Karnataka remain on “orange” alert until Wednesday.
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The Met office has also forecast widespread moderate to heavy rain over Goa, Konkan, and Madhya Maharashtra till June 10.
Over the next 2 to 3 days, the monsoon is likely to advance into more areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the remaining parts of the Northeastern region.
Southern peninsular India has been experiencing vigorous monsoons over the past week, with Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and Meghalaya experiencing heavy showers.
Except in Northeast India, where the progress is marginally delayed, the monsoon has arrived either early or on time.
