In view of the ensuing monsoon season, the Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha on Friday chaired a review meeting on urban flooding and road restoration issues in the presence of Commissioner, GMC & officials of GMDA, PWD etc to take stock of works/issues and chart roadmap.

This comes amidst the India Meteorological Department (IMD) weather forecast on the advancement of the South West Monsoon over some parts of North East India during the next 24 hours.

Owing to this phenomenon, IMD has also stated that there are chances of increase in rainfall activity over North East Region during the next five days.

“The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through lat. 13.5°N/ Long. 55°E, lat. 14.0°N/ Long. 60°E, lat. 13.5°N/ Long. 65°E, lat. 13°N/ Long. 70°E, Cannur, Kodaikanal, Adirampattinam, lat. 12.0°N/ Long. 83.0°E, 16.0°N/88.0°E, 18.5°N/90.0°E, 22.0°N/93.0°E. Thus, conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest monsoon into some parts of northeastern states during next 24 hours. Similarly, conditions are also becoming favourable for advance of Southwest Monsoon over the remaining parts of northeastern states and some parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the subsequent 48 hours. Moisture incursion due to strong low-level Southerly/ Southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast India is very likely during the next 5 days. Under its influence fairly widespread/widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall/ thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds are very likely to occur over the northeast region during the next five days,” the IMD reports reads.

Probable Impacts

1. Visibility may become poor due to intense spell of rainfall leading to traffic congestion.

2. Temporary Disruption of traffic due to water logging in roads/ uprooting of trees/ breaking of tree branches leading to increased travel time.

3. Uprooting of trees may cause damages to power sector

4. Possibility of damages to vulnerable structures due to heavy to very heavy rain

5. Partial Damages to Kutcha Houses and Huts due to uprooting of trees.

6. Possibilities of Flash floods due to intense spell of rainfall.

7. Water logging / flooding in many parts of low lying areas.

8. Land slides/mud slide/land slip very likely.

9. Heavy rainfall may damage the standing crops and vegetables in the maturity stage.

10. Lightning may injure people and cattle at open place.

11. Dispersion of soil from the field and hence seed displacement and poor germination of seeds.

Actions suggested

• Follow traffic advisories issued, if any.

• Avoid staying in vulnerable structure.

• Propping of the vegetable pandals recommended.

• Take shelter during thunderstorm/lightning activities.

• Provide mulch at the base of the crop to prevent soil and root damage.

• Avoid working in the fields during thunderstorm/lightning period and ensure proper mechanism to avoid runoff in case of rain.

• Postpone sowing of seeds; if already sown, avoid water stagnation in the field and cover the seeded area with natural mulching materials like straw, farm residues etc.

• Be Updated.