Guwahati: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the Northeast Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura are likely to be lashed with heavy rainfall on Wednesday, July 22.
The IMD, in its statement, said that thunderstorm accompanied by lightning is "very likely "at isolated places over the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
According to the IMD, strong wind (speed reaching 50-60 mph) is very likely over Southwest and adjoining west-central the Arabian Sea. "Squally weather over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southwest Arabian Sea; along with and off Kerala coast and East-central Arabian Sea and off Karnataka coast," the IMD further stated. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea over these areas.
Over the past several weeks, heavy rainfall in the Northeast Indian region has caused severe problems for the denizens of these areas. In Assam and Meghalaya, especially, the rains have caused the rivers in the plains regions to swell up and cause floods. The floods in Assam have taken a critical turn as 87 people have been killed this year alone.
The main rivers and their tributaries continue to flow above the 'danger level', causing immense grief to the people living in the flood-prone areas of the state. Altogether, 23 out of the 33 districts in the state have been hit by the fury of floods. The floods have also caused immense damage to infrastructure in the state as embankments, roads, and bridges have been swept away.
Similarly, Meghalaya has also been hit by floods in the wake of heavy rainfall in the Northeast Indian states. Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district has reported the deaths of five people in the past week alone.
On July 15, four children (three five-year-olds and one six-year-old) drowned in floodwaters in Tikrikilla village, followed by an 18-year-old woman in Demdema village. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
Also Watch: NewsMakers: Exclusive chat with Priyasha Bhardwaj, Actor In conversation with Oineetom Ojah