Independence Day: Heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted in Bengal, Uttarakhand

Another cyclonic circulation lies over north Chhattisgarh in lower tropospheric levels, the IMD said. The weather office has predicted partly cloudy sky for national capital on Saturday with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 36 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in northeastern states and West Bengal till Sunday. The weather department also said that Meghalaya will experience extremely heavy falls today, after which the intensity will reduce.

People wade through a flooded street after heavy rainfall, in Patna on Friday. The IMD has forecast fairly widespread rainfall to continue over Bihar. (ANI Photo)

"Current spell of widespread rain activity with isolated heavy to very heavy falls likely to continue over Northeast India and SHWB (Sub-Himalayan West Bengal) on 14th & 15th August with extremely heavy falls over Meghalaya on 14th August and reduction thereafter," the IMD said on Twitter on Saturday.

The increased rainfall is predicted due to the presence of a cyclonic circulation over westcentral Bay of Bengal, according to the IMD. Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh are also likely to get heavy rainfall under its influence.

At least 600 villages in 24 districts of Uttar Pradesh are affected by floods due to release of water from various dam following heavy rainfall. The state recorded an average rainfall of 9mm in a span of 24 hours (till Friday), which is 87 per cent more than normal.

The NDRF, SDRF and the state PAC have been pressed into service to help the people, and 59 rescue teams are pre-deployed in various districts.

Meanwhile, the weather department said that there is a probability of fairly widespread rainfall in the western Himalayan region during the next 3-4 days. It added that heavy rainfall is expected over Uttarakhand on Independence Day.

Another cyclonic circulation lies over north Chhattisgarh in lower tropospheric levels, the IMD said.

The weather office has predicted partly cloudy sky for national capital on Saturday with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 36 degrees Celsius.