Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in Tripura till July 16: IMD

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over parts of Tripura till July 16 under the influence of multiple weather systems over Bangladesh and the adjoining Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.

In a weather bulletin issued at 12.30 pm, the Meteorological Centre, Agartala, forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 20 cm at one or two places in West and Sepahijala districts till 8.30 am on Tuesday. Heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 11 cm is also likely at isolated places in the remaining districts during the same period.

The IMD said heavy rainfall is expected to persist over West, Sepahijala, Gomati and South districts on July 14-17, while Khowai district is also likely to receive heavy rain on July 14-15.

According to the bulletin, the prevailing weather has been caused by the monsoon trough extending from northwestern India to Manipur, an upper air cyclonic circulation over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Bangladesh, another cyclonic circulation over east Bangladesh, and a trough extending from northwest Bihar to Manipur across east Bangladesh and Tripura.

The weather systems are likely to enhance moisture incursion over the state, resulting in widespread rainfall activity, it said.

During the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Monday, the highest rainfall was recorded at the District Magistrate's Office in West Tripura at 138 mm, followed by Bishramganj in Sepahijala district at 116 mm. KVK-South recorded 85 mm of rainfall, while Amarpur in Gomati district received 61.3 mm.

The IMD warned that heavy rainfall could lead to flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas, disruption of road traffic, temporary closure of roads, landslides in vulnerable locations, damage to infrastructure and crops, and power outages.

It advised authorities to keep emergency services on alert, monitor landslide-prone areas, undertake road clearance operations, issue evacuation advisories where necessary and set up temporary shelters in vulnerable locations.