Monsoon rains are all set to pick up pace across hills of North India, particularly over Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. According to Skymet Weather, Monsoon is going to be vigorous over the hilly region, triggering heavy to extremely heavy rains over the weekend. With this, threat of flash flooding, landslide, mudslide and cloud burst looms large over the region. Tourists are advised to exercise caution.
The intensity of rains would be most over Uttarakhand , followed by Himachal Pradesh and lower reaches of Jammu and Kashmir. These rains can be attributed to the scores of Monsoon systems. A fresh Western Disturbance is likely over North Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, which would be travelling across the state.
Secondly, a well-marked low pressure area is now over Northeast Rajasthan and adjoining Northwest Madhya Pradesh and Southwest Uttar Pradesh. The system is hardly drifting but is ow likely to re-curve in north-northeast direction. This would also pull up the Monsoon trough northwards, which is presently running across Rajasthan and center of this low pressure area. All these systems are aligned together and whenever there is such scenario, the movement of the weather systems become slow. Thus, bringing in more rains and that too for a prolonged period.
Monsoon rains are likely to begin on Friday itself across the three states but intensity would be light only. Rains would pick up pace by tonight, rains would take vigorous turn. By August 17, moderate to heavy rains would start lashing several parts of the states. As per weathermen, this would be the prolonged spells, wherein activities would peak on August 17, reducing on August 18 and clearing by August 19.
Uttarakhand: The state would see maximum rains as compared to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. We can expect fairly widespread heavy rains across the state, with foothills recording extremely rains as well. Alaknanda River is already flowing around the danger mark and more rains would make the situation grim. Flash flooding, cloud burst and landslide are quite likely in places such as Joshimath, Uttarkashi, etc.
Panthnagar, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Udhamsingh Nagar, Nainital, Mussoorie, Mukteshwar, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Joshimath and Champawat are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rains.
Himachal Pradesh: The state too stands chances of heavy to very heavy rains in its mid and lower reaches, while upper reaches would be less. Heavy rains would lash Dharamshala, Manali, Kullu, Chamba, Nahan, Solan, Shimla, Surendranagar, Una and Kasauli. Intensity of rains would be more over the foothills. One cannot rule out flash floods, landslides or mudslides during the next 48 hours.
Meanwhile, upper reaches would see light to moderate rains only.
Jammu and Kashmir: Rains would be less in comparision to other two states. Lower reaches of the state, especially foothills would see heavy to very heavy rains. Places such as Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Katra, Banihal and Batote would see good rains during the weekend. Hindu Shrine of Vaishno Devi would also rainy weather conditions and tourist might face some problems.
Image Credit: NDTV
Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com