Met Department issues Red Alert for Assam, Meghalaya: See details here

The north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall between May 16-20, due to strong south-westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal to the northeast and the adjoining east Indian states at lower tropospheric levels.

The Met Department has issued a ‘Red Alert’ in Assam and Meghalaya on Tuesday, advising residents to take precautionary measures against the hazardous weather conditions. The rest of the northeastern states are under orange or yellow watch.

The heavy downpours have triggered flash floods and landslides in many districts of Assam, especially in Dima Hasao, where the situation has turned from bad to worse.

Meteorologists said the northeastern states can expect precipitation up to 50-80 mm/day for the whole week. Some parts of Assam and Meghalaya may experience rainfall over 100 mm/day on Tuesday.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said at least three people was killed in the Dima Hasao district of Assam and nearly 57,000 people from 222 villages have been affected due to rain-related incidents, including landslides.

Many districts of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh have received more than 2 cm rainfall in the past 24 hours. Majbat district in Assam witnessed around 7 cm of rainfall, the highest in the region.

Assam and Meghalaya have recorded surplus rains worth 43% to 53% higher than their respective averages between March 1 and May 15.

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