After days of heavy rainfall in northern and eastern states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, rivers have risen above the danger mark affecting more than 50,000 people.
Between June 1-22, Bihar received 171% above normal rainfall. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh has received 158% above normal rainfall and levels have risen substantially in River Saryu. In Uttarakhand, several highways have been blocked due to landslides and disruption of electricity supply in areas of Chamoli, Tehri-Garhwal, Bageshwar, Rishikesh and Pithoragarh.
Earlier this month areas along the Konkan coast and Mumbai were on a 3- day alert due to flooding. Kolkata and nearby districts of Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar and Alipurduar and Asansol have been inundated for a few days now because of Garui and Nunia rivers overflowing. Gujarat received 6% of the average rainfall within a few days and Anand district received 173mm, causing a flood-like situation. Bengal and parts of Odisha have already been devastated by cyclone Yaas last month.
The current bouts of rains are actually pre-monsoon showers, since Northern India generally receives rain from July to August.Because of a 0.6 degree Celsius temperature rise in the last century, India is already the 5th most vulnerable country in terms of extreme climate events. It is set to become the world’s flood capital soon.