Rains

Datanomics: Measuring India's cloud seeding scale and rainfall impact

A 2014 Beijing study found that a 1 mm increase in rainfall intensity reduced PM2.5 levels by 4-28 per cent, highlighting the potential of such interventions in improving air quality

Delhi's cloud-seeding trial put on hold today due to 'low moisture'

The decision came as the second round of cloud seeding trials, which took place on Tuesday, failed due to a lack of moisture

Cyclone Montha leaves one dead, roads inundated, trees uprooted in Andhra

Heavy rain with gale is lashing Vijayawada city on Wednesday morning and a number of trees uprooted and many roads were inundated as severe cyclonic storm Montha crossed Andhra Pradesh coast near Narasapur in West Godavari district, south of Kakinada overnight, IMD said on Wednesday. After crossing the coast, the weather system moved northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours to weaken into a cyclonic storm, India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin issued at 5 am said. "The latest observations indicate that the severe cyclonic storm Montha crossed Andhra Pradesh and Yanan coasts between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, south of Kakinada and close to Narsapur during midnight (11:30 pm of October 28 and 12:30 am of October 29)," IMD said in a release. The landfall process lasted about five hours, starting around 7:30 pm on Tuesday and completing around 12:30 am on Wednesday, they added. By 2.30 am on Wednesday, Montha, which means a fragrant flower in Tha

Delhi seeds clouds to clear post-Diwali smog, but rain still elusive

Despite high levels of air pollution in the national capital, experts say artificial rain is both expensive and only temporary fix, and that cities must tackle primary sources

Orange alert in 8 districts of Kerala as heavy rains cause disruptions

Overnight heavy rains and strong winds brought down trees and power lines, damaging houses, vehicles and causing power and traffic disruptions in parts of Kerala. The continuous rains also caused waterlogging in low-lying areas in many parts of the state and rise in water levels of various rivers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued an orange alert in eight districts of the state for three hours from 7 am. It also predicted the likelihood of thunderstorms with moderate to intense spell of rainfall and maximum surface wind speeds reaching 50 kmph in gusts during the day in isolated places in the state. An 'orange alert' denotes "very heavy" rainfall of 11 to 20 cm.

Low-pressure area forms over Bay of Bengal, IMD warns of rain in Odisha

The IMD on Tuesday said a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify into a depression in the next 36 hours, which could trigger rainfall in Odisha. The weather office issued a 'yellow' warning (be aware) for several districts of Odisha for Tuesday and Wednesday. Under the influence of Monday's upper air cyclonic circulation over the sea, a low-pressure system has formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Tuesday," the India Meteorological Department said in a statement. The system is likely to "intensify into a depression over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal during the next 36 hours", it said, adding that Odisha could experience light-to-moderate rainfall under its impact. Thunderstorm, accompanied by gusty surface wind with speed reaching 30-40 kmph, is likely to occur at one or two places over Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri till 8.30 am on Wednesday

Widespread rains expected in TN, Pondy; heavy rain alert for 4 districts

The Regional Meteorological Centre here has predicted widespread light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry due to the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni and Tenkasi districts are expected to receive heavy showers. Palar Anicut in Ranipet district, Ayinkudi in Pudukottai, Tenkasi, Ammundi in Vellore district received the highest amount of rainfall recording 8 cm each in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said on Tuesday. Rameswaram, Vadapudupattu district in Tirupathur, Sivagiri (Tenkasi), Sivaganga district, Tondiarpet (Chennai) Bodinaickanur (Theni) MGR Nagar in Chennai received 1 cm of rainfall each in the last 24 hours. In Chennai and its neighbourhood, the bulletin said the sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy. "Light or moderate rain with Thunderstorm and Lightning is likely to occur in some areas," the bulletin added.

Vaishno Devi pilgrimage resumes after three-day suspension in J&K

The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district resumed Wednesday morning after remaining suspended for three days owing to inclement weather, officials said. The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway was also partially allowed after a day-long suspension, while all government and private schools reopened in Jammu and elsewhere after two days' closure, the officials said. A spokesman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said the pilgrimage to the shrine restarted with the opening of all registration counters around 6 am on Wednesday. The pilgrimage is progressing smoothly with hundreds of devotees leaving base camp Katra for the shrine. The yatra to the shrine was suspended along with Machail Mata yatra in Kishtwar district on October 5 to 7 following prediction of widespread rainfall in the plain and snowfall in the high altitude areas. Machail Mata yatra also resumed this morning with the improvement in the

IMD predicts thunderstorm, light rain in Delhi on Sunday; AQI moderate

Thunderstorm with rain is likely in the national capital on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted. On Saturday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 34 degrees celsius, 0.7 notches below the season's average. The minimum temperature settled at 24.6 degrees celsius, 2.3 notches above the season's average, the IMD said. The relative humidity was recorded at 64 per cent at 5.30 pm. The maximum temperature on Sunday is expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius, the IMD predicted. Delhi's air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category at 6 pm, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 114, showed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Congress urges Maharashtra Assembly to hold special session for rain crisis

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday demanded that a special session of the Maharashtra legislature be convened immediately to discuss the flood situation and extensive damage caused by heavy rains in the state. Wadettiwar wrote a letter to Governor Acharya Devvrat, drawing his attention to the severe emergency situation prevailing in several parts of Marathwada, Vidarbha and western Maharashtra due to unprecedented rainfall and flooding. He urged the government to immediately declare a "wet drought" in Maharashtra and announce a comprehensive financial relief and rehabilitation package for the affected farmers and people. Wadettiwar is the second Opposition leader, after former minister and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil, to write to the governor, demanding a special session of the state legislature to address the rain crisis. The CLP leader said the natural calamity has left farmers and ordinary people in deep distress, causing irreparable losses. Standing

Late monsoon rains threaten kharif crop yields despite higher acreage

Normal acreage is the average area covered in the last five years

Yamuna dips below evacuation mark of 206 metres in Delhi after days of rain

The water level in the Yamuna was recorded at 205.98 metres at 8 PM on Saturday at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB), coming down below the 206 metre evacuation mark after several days, officials said. "The situation is being closely monitored and all the agencies concerned are on alert," an official said. In the past few days, the river had inundated several areas along its banks. Tents have been set up on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and in Mayur Vihar areas to temporarily accommodate people evacuated from low-lying areas near the river. The warning mark for the city is 204.50 metres, while the danger mark is 205.33 metres, and evacuation of people starts at 206 metres. According to the flood control department, the Hathnikund barrage discharged 46,501 cusecs of water at 8 PM. Water discharge from Wazirabad barrage is around 93,260 cusecs. The Old Railway Bridge serves as a key observation point for tracking the river's flow and potential flood risks. Water released from the barrage

CM Abdullah reviews flood situation in J&K as water level rises in rivers

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the situation arising from incessant rains that have swelled rivers and streams across the Union Territory, officials said. Authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges across the Kashmir Valley for the day, as the weather department has forecast more rainfall over the next 24 hours, they said. The chief minister chaired a meeting this morning to assess the situation, the CM's office said in a post on X. Abdullah directed the administration to intensify the ground response, ensure clearance of waterlogged areas, safeguard essential services, carry out timely evacuations in critical zones, and provide immediate relief. "Hon'ble Ministers @JavedRanaa and @satishsharmajnk briefed on the situation in Jammu, while Hon'ble Minister @sakinaitoo and Advisor to the CM @nasirsogami provided updates on the situation in Kashmir. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to follow advisories, avoid vulnerable spot

Delhi's overnight rain cools city while parts of India face flood fury

Delhi recorded below-normal temperatures, while flash flood-like conditions in Kashmir and alerts in Punjab and Jammu prompted precautionary measures

Monsoon to remain vigorous in September after record August rains: IMD

August rainfall in North India was the highest since 2001 and the 13th highest since 1901, with IMD warning of floods, landslides and crop damage if rains persist in September

Delhi to see more rain, IMD issues flood alerts for Himachal, Uttarakhand

The capital recorded its wettest August in 15 years with nearly 400 mm of rainfall, while northern states brace for heavy showers and flood risks

Heavy rains disrupt life in Latur; schools shut, rescue teams in action

Heavy downpour has disrupted life in Maharashtra's Latur district, prompting the administration to declare a school holiday on Friday, officials said. Of the 60 revenue circles in the district in the state's Marathwada region, 29 had reported excessive rainfall till Thursday night as water levels in rivers and streams rose, triggering rescue operations, they said. About 50 roads and bridges were shut after water began to flow over the structures. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for August 29, District Collector and Disaster Management Authority Chairperson Varsha Thakur-Ghuge has announced a holiday for all schools from Class 1 to 12, an official said. Disaster management teams and local villagers rescued ten persons stranded in flood-hit areas of Shirur Anantpal and Ahmedpur talukas. An Army team has also arrived in Ahmedpur. In Shirur Anantpal, five persons trapped in a riverside shed and three labourers stuck during bridge construction on t

Maharashtra rains: Over 2,200 people shifted in Nanded, Latur roads damaged

More than 2200 persons have been shifted to safety amid heavy rainfall in Nanded and Latur districts of Maharashtra, officials said on Thursday. Seventeen revenue circles in Mukhed, Kandhar and Naygaon faced heavy rainfall, with the highest, 115 millimetres, being recorded in Biloli and Narsi areas in Nanded, while 29 circles in Latur recorded rainfall of above 65 mm, they informed. "In Nanded, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were sent to villages in Degloor after water entered several homes in Dharmabad, Naygaon and Kandhar this morning. Road links to Gonar, Jakepur, Rui and Kandharewadi villages have been affected due to the rains," a local official said. "As a precautionary measure, 2236 persons from 871 households in Sangvi Umar, Medankallur, Shelgaon and Tamlur villages were shifted to safety by the Nanded administration. At present, 3.63 lakh cusec (cubic foot per second) water is being released from eight projects of Nanded. These include Vishnupuri, Yeldari and ..

400 roads closed in Himachal, IMD predicts heavy rains till August 30

A total of 400 roads including two national highways are closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh as moderate to heavy rains continued to lash parts of the state, officials said on Sunday. Among these, 221 roads were closed in Mandi district and 102 in the adjoining Kullu. National Highway 3 (Mandi-Dharampur road) and NH 305 (Aut-Sainj road) were also closed, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. According to officials, 208 power supply transformers and 51 water supply schemes were disrupted in the state. The local meteorological office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain in isolated areas of two to seven districts in the state till August 30. Moderate to heavy rains lashed several parts of the state since Saturday night with Pandoh recording the highest rainfall of 123 mm, followed by 105 mm in Kasauli, 104.6 mm in Jot, and 68 mm in Mandi and Karsog. Nadaun logged 52.8 mm rainfall followed by 54 mm in Jogindernagar, 44.7 mm in Baggi, 44.6 mm in Dharampu

Pakistan floods: Over 300 dead, rescue ops on as rains wreck homes, roads

Villages are under water, roads cut off and homes destroyed in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while rescue teams work to save stranded families