SHIMLA/DEHRADUN, JULY 9: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places across both the higher and lower hill regions of Himachal Pradesh, with the wet spell expected to continue over the next five days. The advisory comes as the southwest monsoon has now covered the entire country, reaching its full extent on July 9, just one day later than the normal date.
According to the Mountain Weather Bulletin issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre's Himalayan Mountain Meteorology Division on Thursday afternoon, fairly widespread rainfall is expected across Himachal Pradesh on July 9 and 10, followed by widespread rain on July 11 and 12. Fairly widespread rainfall is again likely on July 13, 14 and 15, indicating a prolonged spell of monsoon activity over the state.
The IMD has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in both the high hills and lower hill regions of Himachal Pradesh on July 9. From July 10 to July 13, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in these regions.
The department has advised residents, tourists and local authorities to remain alert, particularly in vulnerable hill slopes, low-lying areas and along rivers and seasonal streams where landslides and flash flooding may occur.
The weather office said the southwest monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of the north Arabian Sea, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, resulting in monsoon coverage over the entire country.
A western disturbance persists as a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and adjoining areas at about 5.8 km above mean sea level, which is expected to enhance rainfall activity over the western Himalayan region.
While Himachal Pradesh faces sustained heavy rainfall, the IMD has issued a more severe warning for Uttarakhand.
Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely at isolated places over the Garhwal and Kumaon regions on July 9, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected on July 10. Heavy rain with thunderstorms is forecast to continue until July 13.
For Jammu Division, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph during July 9 and 10, with heavy rain also likely on July 11 and 12. Kashmir is expected to receive isolated rainfall initially, followed by widespread rainfall on July 11 and fairly widespread rainfall on July 12.
Ladakh is likely to witness only isolated rainfall on July 9, with mainly dry weather during the following days.
The IMD stated that there is no persistent flash flood threat during the next six hours ending 1730 IST on July 9. However, a low to moderate flash flood risk has been forecast during the next 24 hours over several districts of Uttarakhand, including Pauri, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat and Nainital, where surface runoff and inundation are possible in saturated and low-lying areas.
Authorities have advised people in the Himalayan states to monitor official weather updates, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall and exercise caution in landslide-prone and flood-sensitive areas.
