Guwahati: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a red alert for widespread inclement weather for several districts across Assam, Mizoram and Tripura in the next 48 hours.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is specifically forecast for the western and southern parts of Assam over the next two to three days.
The adverse weather conditions are attributed to a well-marked low-pressure area situated over the northwest Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha coast. According to the IMD, this system is associated with a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above sea level and tilting southwards with height. The system is likely to move slowly northwards and is expected to intensify into a Depression over the northern Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) of IMD cautioned that heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extreme downpours, is expected across several Assam districts — including Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, West Karbi Anglong, and Sribhumi — on Thursday.
These areas are under a red alert, with squally winds predicted at 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph.
Severe weather is also forecast for Friday in Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Baksa, Bajali, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi districts.
The RMC has also forecast continuous and intense rainfall for Guwahati. This is expected to cause urban flooding, significant traffic disruptions, and an increased risk of tree falls and localized landslides, especially in vulnerable and hillside areas.
The city’s municipal and emergency departments are closely monitoring the situation, and control rooms are on high alert for a rapid response.
Similarly, the meteorological centre in Tripura has issued a red alert for West Tripura and Khowai districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall from 8:30am on Thursday to 8:30am on Friday.
For Mizoram, RMC has placed Mamit, Kolasib, and Saitual districts under red alert for Thursday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas, accompanied by strong winds.
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“In Guwahati city, continued downpours could aggravate water logging, slow vehicular movement, and increase the risk of tree falls and localised landslides in vulnerable pockets. The city authorities are closely monitoring the situation and emergency response systems are being kept on alert,” Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Daily commuters and long-distance travellers are requested to plan their routines accordingly, avoiding unnecessary movement during periods of intense rainfall. Residents in low-lying and hillside areas should stay alert for any signs of flooding or landslides,” it stated.
