IMD issues orange alert in 8 districts of Gujarat
Several Indian states are grappling with the impact of heavy rainfall. Gujarat is under orange and yellow alerts for expected rain and thunderstorms, potentially causing traffic disruptions. Northeast India anticipates continued heavy rainfall for the next week, while Delhi-NCR experiences incessant showers. Himachal Pradesh faces disrupted services and a high death toll due to monsoon-related incidents.
ANI Representative image India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Mahisagar, Aravalli, Gandhinagar, Mahesana, Khera, Sabar Kantha, Dahod, and Panchmahal districts of Gujarat. Moderate rain and thunder showers are expected to take place in these districts, which can cause waterlogging, leading to traffic congestion. IMD has also issued a yellow warning for Kachchh, Banaskantha, Patan, Surendranagar, Ahmadabad, Anand, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, Dangs, Navsari, and Valsad districts of the state. On Saturday, IMD predicted heavy rainfall to continue over Northeast and adjoining East India for the next seven days, with extremely heavy rainfall today over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.Meanwhile, Incessant rainfall continues in the national capital as intense showers were reported in the areas of Vijay Chowk, Connaught Place, Minto Bridge, Sarojini Nagar, AIIMS, and Panchkuian on Sunday Morning.
IMD had earlier predicted light to moderate rainfall in the Delhi-NCR region on Thursday morning."Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by light thunderstorm and lightning is very likely to occur at NCR (Bahadurgarh, Manesar). Light rainfall is very likely to occur over the entire Delhi-NCR, including Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ballabhgarh," the IMD said in a post on social media platform X.In Himachal Pradesh, the relentless monsoon rains have disrupted essential services across the state. According to the latest evening report issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) on August 2, a total of 403 roads remain blocked, 411 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) are disrupted, and 196 water supply schemes are currently non-functional due to rain-induced damages.The SDMA stated that 179 people have died since the beginning of the monsoon season. Of these, 101 fatalities are directly attributed to rain-related incidents, such as landslides, flash floods, and building collapses.
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Intense Himachal rains topple Shimla tree, expose climate crisis risk
As intense monsoon rains hit Himachal Pradesh for the third consecutive year, scientists and environmentalists have raised serious concerns over the increasing frequency of high-intensity rainfall, triggered by a dangerous combination of global warming, delayed western disturbances, and monsoonal systems. The Shimla tree fall is another sign of the Himalayan region's rising climate risk. (Representative image)(ITBP/ ANI) The alarm was sounded following an incident early Thursday morning, when a massive deodar tree collapsed onto the Environment Directorate building in the US Club area of Shimla. The tree, which had been leaning precariously for days due to continuous rain, uprooted around 5:30 AM, causing partial damage to the building's roof and entrance gate. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Senior scientist on climate Change at the State Science and Technology and Environment Directorate, Dr. Suresh Kumar Atri, speaking to ANI, said the disaster was a clear consequence of prolonged and intense rainfall and a stark sign of changing climate patterns. "This tree had been leaning dangerously for the last few days, especially after continuous rains," Atri said. "We had already written to the Municipal Corporation, alerting them. Today, at around 5:30 AM, the tree broke and fell. It caused significant damage to the building's metal roofing and gate, though luckily, there was no loss of life. Had this occurred during the day, it could have been disastrous." He said. Atri, a climate scientist, emphasised that such incidents are becoming more frequent due to global warming and disrupted weather systems. "The root cause of all this is global warming. It's leading to high-density rainfall events across not just Himachal, but the entire region," he explained. "If these global conditions persist, we will face even greater threats in the future." He said. He also clarified the commonly misunderstood term "cloudburst," that everywhere rainfall is not a cloudburst and it doesn't burst like a balloon. "There's no such thing as a cloud exploding, as people imagine. What actually happens is high-intensity rainfall in a very short span of time in a small geographical area. If 100 mm of rain falls within an hour over, say, 10-20 square kilometres, that qualifies as a cloudburst. For instance, in an area like Shimla, if 100 mm rain falls within an hour, it leads to flash floods a cloudburst-like situation. That's around 300 crore litres of water in a compact space, which overwhelms drainage systems and natural outlets." He said. Atri warned that this phenomenon is not isolated or region-specific. "These events don't only happen in remote areas. High-intensity rainfall can strike anywhere, anytime," he said. "In 2023, similar patterns led to devastating flash floods in Mandi district and even in parts of Uttarakhand, wiping out entire villages. The damage in Himachal alone crossed ₹10,000 crores last year." Said the scientist. He noted that this year, the state has already suffered over ₹3,000 crore in damages, and the monsoon season is still far from over. Dr. Atri further stressed the role of Arabian Sea warming and disturbed western disturbance patterns, which, when combined with the monsoon, result in extreme weather. "The Arabian Sea has warmed significantly, and this affects the western disturbances, which bring rain. When these disturbances interact with the monsoon, especially in a delayed fashion, the result is catastrophic, intense rainfall, landslides, and floods. This exact combination led to widespread destruction last year and is repeating again," he warned. Calling for urgent action, Attri advocated better watershed management and strict protection of natural drainage systems. "We must keep our water channels and watersheds clear. Water must flow out without obstruction. People should avoid going near rivers and streams during such weather conditions," he advised. The recent incident at the Environment Directorate building, while not fatal, serves as another reminder of the growing environmental vulnerabilities of Himalayan states. As monsoon patterns continue to evolve under the pressure of climate change, scientists are urging both the public and authorities to remain alert and to adapt proactively to this new climate reality.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Uttarkashi Cloudburst: What UPSC aspirants must-know for Prelims and Mains
UPSC Issue at a Glance is an initiative by UPSC Essentials aimed at streamlining your UPSC Current Affairs preparation for the prelims and mains examinations by focusing on issues making headlines. Every Thursday, cover a new topic in a lucid way. This week, we explain to you the Cloudbursts from a broader perspective. Let's get started. If you missed the previous UPSC Issue at a Glance | Revisiting Chola dynasty and Rajendra I's achievements: Insights into governance, society, architecture, and more from the Indian Express, read it here. On Tuesday (August 5), a sudden flash flood caused by a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area swept away houses, shops and roads, leaving a trail of destruction. Two cloudburst incidents were reported, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, resulting in widespread destruction. Dharali bore the brunt of the damage. This latest incident adds to a growing list of extreme weather events that have struck the hill state in recent years, particularly during the monsoon. In this context, knowing about the cloudburst from a broader perspective becomes essential. (Relevance: UPSC Syllabus General Studies-I, II: Geography, Disaster Management. In 2022, UPSC has asked a question: Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudbursts in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. Questions related to climate events and climate-related reports have been UPSC favourites. In this regard, having a comprehensive understanding of this topic is important from the exam perspective.) A cloudburst is a localised but intense rainfall activity. It is a short-term extreme precipitation that takes place over a small area; it is not, as is sometimes understood, the breaking open of a cloud resulting in the release of huge amounts of water. Cloudbursts have a very specific definition. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines cloudburst as unexpected precipitation exceeding 100mm (or 10 cm) per hour over a geographical region of approximately 20 to 30 square km. Significant amounts of rainfall such as this can result in floods. Basically, all instances of cloudbursts involve heavy rain in a short period, but all instances of heavy rain in a short period are not cloudbursts if they do not fit this criterion. Cloudbursts are classified as an extreme weather event because the frequency of cloudbursts has increased due to global warming across the world. Extreme precipitation events are increasing in frequency as global temperatures rise, a trend that experts think may be contributing to an increase in cloudbursts. As Amitabh Sinha of The Indian Express explains – 'There is a paucity of past data on cloudbursts; in addition, since only some of them get counted – only those that result in death and destruction – there is a problem of accuracy as well. But what is very clear is that events of extreme precipitation have been on the rise in the last few decades due to global warming; it is expected, keeping in mind that trend, that cloudburst events might be on the increase as well.' The India Meteorological Department forecasts rainfall events well in advance, but it does not predict the quantum of rainfall — in fact, no meteorological agency does. The forecasts can be about light, heavy, or very heavy rainfall, but weather scientists do not have the capability to predict exactly how much rain is likely to fall at any given place. Additionally, the forecasts are for a relatively large geographical area, usually a region, a state, a meteorological sub-division, or at best a district. As they zoom in over smaller areas, the forecasts get more and more uncertain. Theoretically, it is not impossible to forecast rainfall over a very small area as well, but it requires a very dense network of weather instruments, and computing capabilities that seem unfeasible with current technologies. As a result, specific cloudburst events cannot be forecast. No forecast ever mentions a possibility of a cloudburst. But there are warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall events, and these are routinely forecast four to five days in advance. Possibility of extremely heavy rainfall, which could result in cloudburst kind of situations, are forecast six to 12 hours in advance. The rainfall itself does not result in the death of people, though sometimes, the raindrops are big enough to hurt people in a sustained downpour. It is the consequences of such heavy rain, especially in the hilly terrain, that causes death and destruction. Landslides, flash floods, houses and establishments getting swept away and cave-ins lead to the deaths. GLOFs are disaster events caused by the abrupt discharge of water from glacial lakes — large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. GLOFs can unleash large volumes of water, sediment, and debris downstream with formidable force and velocity. The floodwaters can submerge valleys, obliterate infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings, and result in significant loss of life and livelihoods. According to government data from a project by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, India is the worst flood-affected country in the world after Bangladesh and accounts for one-fifth of the global death count due to floods. Cloudbursts do happen in plains, but there is a greater probability of them occurring in mountainous zones, mainly because of three main factors: first, the wind pattern; second, the height of the mountains; and third, the level of moisture and humidity in the air. Cloudbursts are more common in hilly areas because of a phenomenon called 'orographic lift', which basically means warm air rising up the side of a mountain. As warm air 'climbs' a mountain, it expands because of the low pressure at higher altitudes. The expanding air cools, releasing the moisture it was holding as rain. However, in many cases, as more and more warm air keeps rising, it prevents that rain till a large amount of rain builds up and bursts out in a massive shower all at once—resulting in a cloudburst. In the mountains, the formation of low-pressure areas at the top attracts clouds with significant force, intensifying the buildup. Additionally, when air coming from the opposite direction collides with the mountain, it can result in a heavy downpour. This is why the height of the mountain matters in this scenario. The air cannot penetrate the mountain. In hilly areas, sometimes saturated clouds ready to condense into rain cannot produce rain due to the upward movement of the very warm current of air. Instead of falling downwards, raindrops are carried upwards by the air current. New drops are formed, and existing raindrops increase in size. After a point, the raindrops become too heavy for the cloud to hold on to, and they fall suddenly and collectively—causing a flash of intense rainfall typical of a cloudburst. 'A flash flood is a flood of short duration with a relatively high peak discharge in which the time interval between the observable causative event and the flood is less than four to six hours'.- World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) According to the study, only 25% of the flash floods that occur in India are directly caused by extreme precipitation. The rest of them are a result of a combination of extreme rainfall and the condition of the soil before precipitation. In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts. As cloudbursts happen in localised areas and they are difficult to capture accurately, the sudden rain released by a cloudburst can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash floods and landslides. Frequently, flash floods are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope. It is common in mountainous terrains, where there are conditions created for it in terms of the soil, rock, geology and slope. Himalayan states further face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers, and their numbers have been increasing in the last few years. An alarming increase in extreme weather phenomena — sudden cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides — that threaten lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems presents the accelerated impacts of climate change. In this context, it becomes essential to take the right measures in the right direction to reduce the risk of future catastrophe. 📍As changing climate has destabilised weather patterns, in order to saving lives and reduce damage during natural disasters effective early warning systems are critical. For the same expanding and modernising weather monitoring infrastructure, especially in the Himalayas and fragile mountain regions, is essential. Establishing more Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and utilising satellite-based observation systems can provide real-time data critical for early warnings. Anjal Prakash explains it: 'AWS and advanced meteorological models can provide real-time data that forecasts extreme weather events well in advance when fed into predictive algorithms. This will allow authorities to issue timely alerts, evacuate vulnerable populations, and mobilise relief efforts before catastrophe strikes. International examples, such as Nepal's pioneering use of early warning systems for mountain disasters, illustrate how technology can mitigate risks when integrated into a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan.' 📍Integrating ecological solutions into broader infrastructure planning is vital. As Anjal Prakash explains 'Instead of relying solely on grey infrastructure (such as dams and embankments), India must embrace ecological solutions — restoring wetlands, mangroves, and natural sponge zones that absorb floodwaters and reduce runoff. These nature-based solutions are cost-effective, sustainable, and adaptable to changing climate conditions. In the mountains, land-use planning must prioritise the preservation of forests and natural buffers that minimise landslides and stabilise slopes. Reforestation and afforestation programs should be expanded, especially in areas prone to erosion. These measures increase the resilience of local ecosystems and communities, helping them withstand climate change shocks.' 📍Climate change adaptation must be embedded within policy frameworks. This involves mainstreaming climate resilience into urban and rural planning, allocating dedicated funds for climate risk assessments, investing in resilient infrastructure, and empowering local communities with knowledge and resources. 📍Community-based disaster management should also be prioritised, particularly in vulnerable rural and hill areas. As residents of particular areas often possess valuable traditional knowledge about weather patterns and natural warning signs, which can be integrated into official early warning systems for more effective responses. Furthermore, strengthening climate resilience through collaboration and innovation is the need of the hour. As climate change is a systemic challenge, it requires coordinated action at all local, national, and international levels; thus, investing in research, fostering innovation in climate resilience technologies, and partnering with regional neighbours can bolster adaptive capacity across the Himalayas and beyond. Prelims (1) Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct? (UPSC CDS 2017) 1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning. 2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas. 3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours. 4. It occurs only during the daytime. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1, 2, and 3 (b) 1, 3, and 4 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 only (2) With reference to the glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), consider the following statements: 1. These are sudden and catastrophic floods caused by the failure of natural dams, usually formed by glacial moraines or ice. 2. Thawing of permafrost decreases the risk of GLOFs. 3. Melting of glaciers increases the risk of GLOFs. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (3) With reference to the Cloudbursts, consider the following statements: 1. Cloudbursts are short-lived extreme weather events in which heavy rainfall occurs over very small areas. 2. They are more common in hilly areas because of a phenomenon called 'orographic lift'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Mains Discuss the causes and effects of cloudbursts, and suggest measures to prevent and mitigate their devastating impacts. (Sources: Uttarkashi Cloudburst News Live Updates, What are cloudbursts, and why they occur more in places like Amarnath, What are flash floods, What are cloudbursts, Why are cloudburst incidents rising across India?, Uttarkashi Cloudburst: What India should do to avoid further climate catastrophe) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
70 rescued, over 50 missing in Uttarkashi flash floods: Army
Synopsis Uttarkashi faces devastation from recent flash floods. Rescue operations are underway by the Army and other agencies. Seventy people have been rescued, but over fifty remain missing. Sadly, at least four deaths are confirmed. Efforts focus on airlifting equipment to Dharali and providing aid to stranded tourists in Gangotri. Road access is disrupted, and teams are working to restore connectivity. ANI Representational Dehradun: As rescue operations in the flash floods-ravaged Uttarkashi entered the third day on Thursday, the Army said 70 people have been rescued so far and more than 50 are to officials, at least four people have been killed in the disaster that struck the ecologically fragile area on Tuesday afternoon. Rescuers recovered two bodies on Wednesday, but it was not clear if these were among the four deaths reported the previous district administration said 65 people who were stranded at different locations were airlifted to Matli town, 432 km from were also stepped up to airlift advanced equipment to the worst-hit Dharali village to speed up the search for those trapped under the rubble, officials Indian Army, in close coordination with other authorities, ramped up Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Dharali and nearby Harsil. The region remains cut off due to multiple landslides and road breaches. Seventy civilians have been rescued so far and more than 50 are missing, the Army said in an official release issued Army personnel -- one junior commissioned officer and eight jawans -- are also reported missing, it Army personnel and three civilians were evacuated to Dehradun by helicopter. Three critically injured civilians were shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and eight were admitted to the Uttarkashi district hospital, it access is severely disrupted at multiple locations, including Bartwari, Linchigad, near Harsil, Gangnani and Dharali. Civilian and military teams are working round the clock to rescue stranded people, provide relief and restore connectivity, the Army military helipad in Harsil and another in Nelong are operational and connected by road to Gangotri, enabling convenient movement of tourists. A civil helipad in Dharali remains non-functional due to a to the Army, more than 225 troops, including engineers, medical teams, and rescue specialists, are on the ground. Search and rescue dogs have also been Reeco Radar team is in Tekla village and another Reeco Radar is being inducted for further deployment, the release and Mi-17 helicopters are waiting at the Jollygrant airport in Dehradun and are likely to commence evacuation of civilians from Thursday if the weather improves, it civil helicopters from Sahastradhara have been operating between Matli, Bhatwari and Harsil for the rescue operations in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).An ad hoc aviation base is being set up at the Matli 180-200 tourists stranded in Gangotri are being provided food, shelter, and medical support by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the release action plan has been prepared for the next 24-48 hours. It includes airlifting para troops and medical teams to Harsil by Chinooks and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and medics to Nelong by Mi-17 helicopters, road opening ahead of Uttarkashi and Tekla, and evacuation of tourists from Nelong helipad on return in the day, the district administration said 65 people, including tourists, who were stranded at various places in Uttarkashi district have been shifted to Matli by have been arranged to send them to their respective destinations, the officials Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is camping in Uttarkashi to monitor the rescue operations, interacted with some of those rescued in the rescued include pilgrims from various parts of the country who were stranded on the way to Gangotri following Tuesday's flash floods. They thanked the Army, the state government and locals for providing them shelter and supporting them in every SDRF, Army, ITBP, police and other related agencies are involved in the relief and rescue IG Arun Mohan Joshi said, "Our priority today is to airlift advanced equipment to the spot. Our teams coming with advanced equipment on Wednesday were held up due to blocked roads." There are 50 to 60-ft-high mounds of debris and those missing may be trapped under them, he have blocked arterial roads leading up to Dharali, where dozens of people were trapped and many homes and cars swept away by the raging waters on advanced equipment will help rescuers dredge through the huge volume of rubble in search of the priority is rescuing pilgrims stranded at different locations because of blocked roads. There could be 300-400 of them, Joshi locals and tourists, the missing may include labourers as several hotels were under construction at the site of the flash is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates, and is home to several hotels and home stays. Ground penetrating radars and sniffer dogs are also likely to be used to trace the missing, the officials said.
