Cyclone Tauktae after-effect: Incessant rains lash Uttarakhand
What's the story
Remnants of Cyclone Tauktae coupled with western disturbance led to incessant rains in Uttarakhand for over 24 hours on Thursday, causing a sharp dip in temperature at most places. Nainital received 132 mm of rainfall followed by Mussoorie which received 103 mm and Mukteshwar which recorded 85 mm of rainfall over the last 24 hours, Rohit Thapliyal, a scientist at the MeT office, said.
Temperatures
Maximum temperature in several places fell several notches below normal
Dehradun received a moderate 47.7 mm of rainfall, Pantnagar 43.6 mm, Tehri 56.8 mm, and Pithoragarh 43.5 mm rainfall, he said. Several towns recorded maximum temperatures of 8-10 degrees below normal, while temperatures fell sharply in the hills where wintry conditions returned. Upper Himalayan regions of the state, including Badrinath in Chamoli district and Kedarnath in Rudraprayag, also received snowfall.
Warning
Some hill districts will receive heavy rainfall
The MeT department has warned of heavy rains in the hill districts, including Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, Pauri, Bageshwar, Nainital, Almora, and Champawat. Thapliyal attributed the incessant rains which began on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday to the remnants of Cyclone Tauktae following its landfall coupled with a western disturbance.
Precautionary measures
People have been advised to take shelter during thunderstorms
He said the intensity of rain may weaken in the Garhwal region later on Thursday but will shift toward Kumaon which needs to remain on alert. The MeT department has advised people residing near rivulets and streams to remain cautious. People traveling on vehicles need to be careful, it said. People are advised to take shelter during thunderstorms and lightning activities, it added.
Damage
Tauktae led to massive destruction on the west coast
Cyclone Tauktae caused massive devastation on the west coast with many people losing their lives. The storm made landfall on the Gujarat coast on Monday evening. Around 53 people died in the state owing to the destruction caused by the cyclonic storm. In Maharashtra, the storm led to the death of six people while nine were injured.