Heavy overnight rain robs residents of Bangalore of their sleep

People of Bangalore are worried because of heavy rain that lashed the city. It brought back memories of the flooding just over a month ago. The India Meteorological Department IMD attributes the latest spell of rain to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. It had left the city and many parts of the state wet. However, a day of sunshine saw people stepping out in the evening but the skies opened up at night. The result was a massive downpour that continued throughout the night. Those who resided in areas near the old airport remained awake keeping a watch on the water levels. This time it did not swell like last time but migrant laborers in east Bangalore had to endure knee-deep water. The IMD assigned yellow alert and forecast more rain until October 23. Bangalore: Tech capital does not sleep (fearing rain) .

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said his department was on the job to ease the flooding. He explained - “The east zone was very badly affected by rain (on Wednesday) and we are doing everything to help the people.” He went on to add that the authorities deployed additional workers to pump out water and clear clogged storm water drains. Incidentally, during the earlier incident of flooding in early September, some of those residing in gated communities in the area had to be evacuated in tractors. They had to leave behind their expensive cars. Anyway, reopening of a major storm water drain, encroached by the gated communities in the area helped the water to recede.

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A cyclonic circulation developing over the Andaman Sea threatens Kolkata with rains during Diwali

Kolkata might have to face rains during Diwali to be celebrated on October 24. This could be because of a fresh weather system developing over the Andaman Sea. The Met forecast says the cyclonic circulation could get stronger. The director-general of India Meteorological Department provided details. He explained - “A cyclonic circulation has formed over the central and adjoining north Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood. It is expected to move west-northwestwards. Around October 20-21, it is expected to be over the central Bay of Bengal as a low-pressure area. By October 22, it will become a depression.” He cautioned the people against jumping into a premature conclusion that the system would turn into a cyclone. He admitted that - “What happens after the system turns into a depression is still not clear. The IMD is constantly monitoring the system.” Bay of Bengal system threatens rain in Kolkata on Diwali. He concluded that it might be a rainy Diwali in Kolkata.

The deputy director-general of IMD, Kolkata informed that the Met office would soon issue a detailed forecast for Diwali. It would cover the expected spread and intensity of the rain. According to a Met official, the months of May and October-November are the pre-and post-monsoon months. These are favorable for cyclonic storms because the sea surface temperature is on the higher side. Incidentally, a weather system draws on the heat and moisture to gain strength on the sea. The IMD radar system atop the New Secretariat building on Strand Road is under repairs. IMD and ISRO are involved in the work and it would be complete by year-end, or the beginning of next year. It was imported from Germany in 2002 and two more radar will arrive in Kolkata in a couple of years.

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Odisha prepares for possible cyclonic strikes in October-November

The coastal state of Odisha is exposed to the vagaries of cyclonic strikes. These usually take place during October-November. Hence, the state government wants to take preemptive measures. It has directed the district officials in vulnerable pockets to remain ready to tackle exigencies arising from the situation. At times, the season of cyclones extend up to December 15. Odisha describes this as the “cyclone season.” Suresh Chandra Mohapatra is the Chief Secretary of the state. While presiding over a state-level cyclone preparedness meeting in Bhubaneswar, he said the geographical position and climate of Odisha is such the state is always prone to floods and storms. However, right now, there is no forecast of any cyclone in the next fortnight. The Regional Centre of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) in Bhubaneswar confirms this. Odisha sounds alert for ‘cyclone season’ preparedness.

In view of the situation, the government wants all departments to remain alert and be ready to tackle any situation that arises during the cyclone-season. They have to ensure availability of all necessary equipment and human resources. This should be as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). In addition, the government issued instructions to ensure that all the tube-wells are in functioning condition in rural and urban areas. The authorities must also make provisions for an adequate stock of medicines, bleaching powder, halogen tablets, ambulance and doctors’ team in full preparedness. Incidentally, there is an IMD forecast about formation of a fresh cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. This could likely be in the second half of this month (October 14 to October 20). Due to this, there could be another spell of heavy rain in the state.

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The India Meteorological Department IMD cautions about intense rainfall activity in Odisha and West Bengal

Odisha and West Bengal would experience heavy rainfall activity over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department IMD mentioned about a fresh low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It might intensify. Under its influence, there would be widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls along with thunderstorms and lightning. The affected regions would be over Gangetic West Bengal from Sept 10-13 and over Odisha from Sept 10-14. Both these states are under orange alert. This means they could face rough weather for the periods mentioned. There are orange alerts in some districts of Odisha but not for Bengal yet. However, southern districts of Bengal, including Kolkata, will be on a yellow watch. This means ‘be aware’ of the weather situation. Odisha and West Bengal In for Very Heavy Rains from September 10-14 Thanks to Bay of Bengal-Born Low Pressure.

Areas with forecast of very heavy showers might have to tackle localized flooding, waterlogging on roads and in low-lying areas, disruption of traffic, damage to weak roads and structures, localized landslides/mudslides, reduction in visibility and damage to crops. This means the residents need to abide by weather and traffic advisories and avoid remaining in vulnerable structures and visiting flood-prone areas. The impacts caused by the Bay of Bengal low-pressure could extend to other areas like western, central, southern and northeastern parts of the country. So far, both Odisha and Bengal are in the below-average rainfall category. This deficit could have long tern effects.

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Pollution of the River Ganges in Kanpur

River Ganges is a holy river that originates in the Himalayas and flows through several states before finally meeting the Bay of Bengal. The water of this holy river is required in practically all religious ceremonies and every family stores and preserves some of this water in their house. This is especially true for those who live away from the river.
This mighty river flows through the city of Kanpur and, one day, I wanted to go and sit on the banks of the River Ganges – it was during my stay in J K colony and, after reaching the place, I was shocked to see the nature and extent of pollution.
Kanpur is famous for its leather tanneries and, automatically, footwear made in Kanpur come dirt cheap. But, this is not about footwear – it is about pollution of the Ganges. Believe it or not, the wastes from the leather processing plants flowed directly into the waters in trickles from different directions. The stench was unbearable and the condition of the water near the banks looked anything but holy.
That was the situation in the 1960s and, in spite of Ganga Action Plans of the government, not much progress has been made. Of course, funds had been earmarked but, true to Indian tradition, the money must have been spent on activities that did not help the cause.
In spite of past failures, the newly elected government of Narendra Modi has now assigned a full time Minister to look after cleaning of the Ganga. There are plans to not just clan the waters of unwanted foreign materials but also to dredge it and convert the river into a regular waterway between the cities on its banks.
It would be a pleasant sight to see launches and motor boats plying on the Ganga. Once that finally happens, it would be a boon to the Nation. (to be continued …)

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