Orange Alert for Akola, Amravati, and Yavatmal; Yellow Alert for Other Districts
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AKOLA: Known for its summer heat, Akola recorded its 2nd-highest rainfall in a decade with 192.9 mm in the last 24 hours on Monday. The highest in the past ten years was 202.9 mm in 2021. Despite the heavy downpour, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Akola, Amravati, and Yavatmal districts, predicting heavy rains between July 9 and 11 across Vidarbha. A 'Yellow Alert' has been issued for other parts of Vidarbha, including Nagpur, for the next two to three days.
The IMD explained that a cyclonic circulation heading towards the coastal areas from the Bay of Bengal is increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall in Vidarbha. The region will likely see cloudy weather and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in the coming days.
In the last 24 hours, Buldhana (71 mm), Gondia (61.8 mm), and Amravati (58.2 mm) received significant rainfall, while Chandrapur (13.6 mm), Nagpur (13.1 mm), and Washim (10 mm) had moderate showers. Yavatmal (4.1 mm) and Wardha (5 mm) saw light rains. Despite the rainfall, Nagpur's maximum temperature remained high at 33.5°C, causing discomfort, though the evening rain brought some relief.
Akola and Buldhana districts have now overcome their rainfall deficits, moving to excess rainfall categories since the start of the South Monsoon in June. Akola recorded 240 mm of actual rainfall against a normal of 194.6 mm, and Buldhana had 239.5 mm against a normal of 184.4 mm. Washim and Yavatmal have also received excess rains, while Bhandara, Gondia, and Gadchiroli still face deficits. Nagpur's rainfall has been normal so far.
Akola Correspondent Adds: Heavy rains hit 15 revenue circles in Akola district from Sunday evening to Monday morning, causing the Morna River and various rivulets to overflow. Akola and Balapur tehsils received above 90 mm of rain in 20 hours until 8 AM on Monday. Notable areas affected included Chohotta Bazar (106 mm), Balapur (116 mm), Paras (111 mm), and Shivan (163 mm).
Road traffic was halted in several areas due to flooding. A JCB operator and eight others were stranded near a nullah in Kharap village and were rescued by a search and rescue team led by the tehsildar. In Morgaon Bhakare, 83 houses were damaged, and an elderly man, Manohar Mahadeo Wankhade, died when a wall collapsed due to the rain.
Low-lying areas in the old city were inundated, prompting residents to stage a protest demanding immediate action to widen the canal.
BULDHANA: Continuous heavy rains submerged villages and settlements near Khamgaon city from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning. Many houses in Ghatpuri village collapsed, causing significant financial losses. Traffic on the Buldhana-Khamgaon road was disrupted by rising water levels on a bridge near Rohana village.
Heavy rains also affected other villages like Januna, Ghatpuri, Sutalal, Rohana, Warna, and Kalegaon. Floodwater damaged houses, crops, and agricultural materials, impacting many residents.
AMRAVATI: Amravati district received an average of 18 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, providing relief to farmers. However, the Amba nullah in Amravati was flooded, and a youth, Rahul Gautam Makeshwar, drowned while trying to cross a bridge in Vanarsi village.
In the last 24 hours, Amravati tehsil recorded 67 mm of rainfall, and Daryapur tehsil's Ramtirth circle received 83 mm. The rains have supported Kharif season crops and provided much-needed water for ongoing sowing operations. The disaster management and rescue teams recovered Rahul Makeshwar's body after a search operation on Monday morning.
