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Seasonal activities have once again taken a turn in East and North-East India amid the withdrawal of South-West Monsoon from North-West parts of the country. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), due to moist winds coming from the Bay of Bengal and active cyclonic circulation over eastern Assam and surrounding areas, moderate to heavy rains are going to intensify in the northeastern states as well as Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim in the coming days. Meteorologists have clarified that even though the rosy cold is gradually setting in in North India, there is a gathering of clouds on the eastern borders, due to which the incidents of sudden strong thunderstorms and lightning strikes may increase at the local level.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert of heavy rain especially for Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts are expected to receive 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms till October 8. Tourists and local administration have been advised to remain alert in view of the increase in the water level of Teesta River due to heavy rains in the high and middle hilly areas of Sikkim and the possibility of landslides on the hill slopes. Along with this, strong gusty winds at a speed of 30 to 40 km per hour and sporadic rain are also expected in Gangetic West Bengal (Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas).
According to the official bulletin issued by IMD, due to atmospheric instability and intense friction of clouds, a major alert of lightning and intense thunder has been issued in the following seven states:
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1. Assam: Strong possibility of thunder and lightning in Brahmaputra valley and low lying areas of Kachar.
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2. Meghalaya: Danger of lightning accompanied by heavy rain in hilly areas of Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
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3. Arunachal Pradesh: Alert of heavy thunder and lightning in border hill districts.
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4. Nagaland: Risk of thunderstorm along with thunderstorm in various parts of the state including Kohima and Dimapur.
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5. Manipur: There is a possibility of lightning in both valley and hilly areas.
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6. Mizoram: Warning of lightning with heavy showers in southern and central parts.
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7. Tripura: Alert of strong winds of 30-40 km per hour and lightning in all the districts of the state including Agartala.
To prevent loss of life and property due to lightning, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Meteorological Department have issued special safety guidelines:
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Stay away from open fields and trees: Completely avoid taking shelter in fields, open fields or under tall lonely trees as soon as thunderstorms begin, as lightning is more likely to strike at the highest points.
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Distance from electric appliances and water sources: Stay away from ponds, rivers and wet electric poles during rain and lightning. Unplug household appliances like TV, computer and refrigerator.
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Uses of Damini App: Citizens should download the Meteorological Department’s ‘Damini’ app on their smartphones, which gives accurate advance warning of possible lightning at your location 20 to 40 minutes in advance.