Guwahati, July 20 (IANS) Assam is likely to witness widespread rainfall over the next five days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting moderate rain across most parts of the state and issuing warnings of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places, officials said on Monday.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati, moderate rain is very likely to occur at many places over Assam through the forecast period, while heavy rain is expected at isolated locations on multiple days.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at isolated places, prompting authorities to advise people to remain cautious, particularly in flood-prone and low-lying areas.
The weather office attributed the prevailing conditions to the persistence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over central Assam and adjoining Nagaland, along with an active monsoon trough extending across northern India towards the northeast Bay of Bengal.
The IMD said light to moderate rain occurred at most places in Assam during the past 24 hours, with heavy to very heavy rainfall recorded at isolated locations in Kamrup (Metro), Golaghat and Dhubri districts.
Heavy rainfall was also reported from parts of Jorhat, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Kokrajhar, Biswanath and Nagaon districts.
Among the highest rainfall recorded during the period were Pandu in Kamrup (Metro) with 20 cm, Kukurmara Mirza in Kamrup with 17 cm, Guwahati Airport with 14 cm, Bokakhat and Golaghat with 13 cm each, while Agomani and Kamakhya received 12 cm of rainfall.
Officials said the continuing spell of rain may aggravate flooding and waterlogging in vulnerable districts already affected by rising river levels.
Disaster management authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged residents to follow weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall.
The IMD has advised people to remain alert for localised flooding, reduced visibility, lightning strikes and disruption to road traffic as the wet spell continues over the state during the week.
–IANS
tdr/skp