IMD issues red, orange alerts; Heavy to very-heavy rainfall expected in several parts of Assam

A red-colour coded weather alert has been issued for Assam and Meghalaya from May 26-28 by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) after predicting very heavy rainfall in these two northeastern states. Sathi Devi, head of the IMD’s national weather forecasting centre, said there is a strong flow of south-westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal, bringing a lot of moisture to these two states.

This is aided by the orographic factors of these two states that will bring in very heavy rainfall, she added. The IMD said rainfall is likely at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places. A few isolated locations will also receive extremely heavy falls, it added.

According to the IMD Guwahati press release, red warning has been issued for Kokrajhar, Chirang and Baska districts of Assam on 26 May. However, Dima Hasao and Cachar districts were mentioned under yellow warning, which means “to be updated”.

Warning for the next consecutive days, according to the IMD are as follows –

27th May- Orange Warning for Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts.
28th May- Orange Warning for Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts.
29th May – Orange Warning for Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts.
30th May – Yellow Warning for Hailakandi and Karimganj districts.

According to the IMD release, Orange Warning stands for “ALERT (Be prepared)” and Red warning is to “take action”.

Indian Meteorological department informed the monsoon is likely to hit Kerala on June 5, four days after its normal onset date. A low-pressure area is also building up in the Arabian Sea from May 30, IMD director general Mrurunjay Mohapatra said. A low-pressure area is the first stage of any cyclone. However, it is not necessary that every low-pressure area will intensify into a cyclone.