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Time of India
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Heavy rain likely from July 20 as monsoon shifts north
Dehradun: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand, warning of a fresh spell of very heavy rain from July 20, as the monsoon system currently hovering over Rajasthan and eastern Uttar Pradesh begins shifting northwards toward the Himalayan foothills. "The monsoon trough is expected to move closer to the Himalayan region from July 20, triggering intense and prolonged rainfall, particularly on July 20 and 21," said Bikram Singh, director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Dehradun. According to the forecast, districts likely to be affected include Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar. The weather department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms with lightning, and extremely intense spells at isolated locations. Singh added that the incoming system could significantly increase the risk of flash floods, landslides and overflowing rivulets, especially in mountainous and steep terrain. Heavy rainfall over melting snowpacks could lead to a sudden increase in water flow in streams and rain-fed channels, potentially resulting in erosion, flooding of low-lying areas and damage to infrastructure. So far this monsoon season, Uttarakhand has recorded 438 mm of rainfall -- 11% above the seasonal average of 395 mm -- making the terrain more vulnerable to saturation-induced landslides and runoff-related hazards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience next-level CPAP comfort with Resmed AirSense 11 ResMed Buy Now Undo Authorities have advised residents living near rivers, tributaries and floodplains to remain alert. Mountaineering expeditions have been asked to suspend activities and move to safer locations, according to an advisory issued by the Met Centre in Dehradun. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district officials and emergency services have been asked to remain alert to respond to any eventualities in the coming days.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Erratic rains wreck tribal livelihoods in Koraput
Koraput: What was once a distant environmental threat is now a harsh reality for thousands of tribal families in Koraput district. Erratic rainfall and shifting climate patterns have devastated traditional livelihoods based on cashew farming and forest produce, leaving communities struggling for survival. Preliminary estimates suggest cashew crop losses exceed Rs 30 crore, while non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like sal seeds have fared no better. In tribal-dominated interiors of Lamtaput, Nandapur and Boipariguda blocks, the damage is stark. Cashew orchards lie strewn with rotting fruit. Sal seeds, once carefully collected and dried, have been washed away by relentless unseasonal rains lashing the district for weeks. "We used to earn Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 every season from cashew," said Purnima Sisa of Bada Kichab village. "But this year, the fruits fell early, rotted, and buyers didn't show up. We have no income now." Cashew cultivation across 16,000 hectares — developed since the 1970s to rehabilitate Machhkund dam–displaced families — has long been a lifeline. With no govt procurement system for raw cashew nuts, tribal gatherers rely on local traders, who supply processing units. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Premium-grade nuts fetch up to Rs 200 per kg, but poor-quality ones sell for as little as Rs 30. Sal seeds, known for yielding sal oil or sal butter, are also vital. The oil is used in cooking, confectionery, vanaspati ghee, and snacks. The last Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation Of Odisha Limited (TDCC) procurement was in 2022–23, when 2,500 quintals were sourced at an MSP of Rs 20 per kg. None has been bought since, as unpredictable rain ruined the harvest. District marketing officer of TDCC, Bikram Singh, said, "We used to procure sal seeds from registered women SHGs, but this year we couldn't as there is no produce due to unexpected rains. Unfortunately, there is no compensation mechanism like there is for other crops." "This is not just an environmental issue — it's a human crisis," said activist Bidyut Mohanty. "When crops fail, women suffer first. They go hungry, migrate, and carry the burden alone."
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Mohali principal's murder case solved, 2 arrested
1 2 Mohali: The police claim to have cracked the murder case of former principal Amarjeet Singh Sehaj, whose decomposed body was discovered in Morni forest area, Panchkula, on Monday. The breakthrough with the arrest of two suspects: Bikram Singh, a resident of Sector 66A, Mohali, and Baljinder Singh Bhullar, originally from Malout City, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and currently residing at Alfinity Green, Airport Road, Zirakpur. According to the police, the motive behind the murder was ransom. The accused allegedly kidnapped Sehaj and demanded Rs 30–40 lakh from his family. When he refused to comply, they took him to Morni Hills, shot him using a licensed .30 bore pistol belonging to Bhullar, and dumped his body in the forest before fleeing the scene. The incident came to light when Rahul Sehaj, son of the deceased, reported his father missing on July 3. Amarjeet Singh Sehaj had left home earlier that day with some individuals in a car and failed to return. Despite the family's continuous efforts to locate him, they were unsuccessful. Rahul eventually filed a missing person report at the IT City police station in Mohali, prompting the police to launch an investigation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo SSP Harmandeep Hans immediately formed multiple teams to trace the missing person. The investigation gained momentum when information was received about a body found in the Morni forest area, which was later identified as Amarjeet Singh Sehaj. During interrogation, both accused confessed to the crime. They revealed that they worked as property dealers in the area and had planned the kidnapping for ransom. The police have also recovered details about the vehicle and weapon used in the crime. Both suspects were presented before the local court, which granted a four-day police remand.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
SDRF rescues man stranded in swollen Tawi river in Jammu after overnight rainfall; IMD issues heavy rain alert
NEW DELHI: The State Disaster Response Force rescued a person stranded in Jammu's River Tawi on Wednesday following heavy overnight rainfall that raised water levels. This emergency operation occurred as various regions across India face intense weather conditions, with the IMD issuing alerts for heavy rainfall in multiple areas and a heatwave warning for the Jammu division. SDRF personnel descended via stairs to reach the accident spot and successfully rescued the man from the Tawi river. The incident coincided with the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at Chanderkote due to a landslide at Mehar and T2 Tunnel Marg. You Can Also Check: Jammu AQI | Weather in Jammu | Bank Holidays in Jammu | Public Holidays in Jammu The Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted increased rainfall activity across Northwest India from June 25. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of Central, East, and Northeast India for the next seven days. IMD Scientist Bikram Singh provided insights about the monsoon conditions in Uttarakhand. "The monsoon was declared in Uttarakhand on June 20. Continuous rain is occurring. Heavy rain has not been observed much. In the last 24 hours, light to moderate rain has occurred in many places. Some areas have also experienced heavy rain. There is a possibility of heavy rain today in Bageshwar, Nainital, and Dehradun as well." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The weather department has predicted extremely heavy rainfall specifically for the Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, and Gujarat regions. "Extremely heavy rainfall above 20 cm in 24 hours is likely at isolated places over Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat Region on 24th June. Very heavy rainfall is likely at some places over Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat region, and isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Saurashtra and Kutch during 24th to 30th June. " Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places over Gujarat State, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathawada during this period.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand sees record June chill as pre-monsoon rain cools temperatures
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is witnessing an unexpected drop in temperatures, breaking a 10-year heat record as heavy pre-monsoon rainfall continues to cool the region. The unusual weather pattern has been linked to strong moisture-carrying winds from the Bay of Bengal, which have led to sustained showers across the state. Officials at the State Meteorological Centre said the consistent rainfall from March to May, driven by Western Disturbances and increased atmospheric moisture, is the main reason behind the temperature drop. This year's pre-monsoon period brought far more rain than usual, which prevented summer temperatures from rising and significantly reduced forest fire incidents in higher altitudes. Speaking exclusively to TNIE, Dr. Bikram Singh, Director of the State Meteorological Centre, explained, "The comparatively higher pre-monsoon rainfall from March to May has been the primary reason for this temperature dip. The continuous nature of the rain not only sustained the drop in mercury but also significantly reduced incidents of forest fires in the state's higher reaches, further contributing to the cooler conditions. The absence of forest fires has also ensured a pleasant climate." Dr. Singh further acknowledged a discernible shift in weather patterns, remarking that the summer period has "shrunk." "With the monsoon now at our doorstep, the summer season has virtually disappeared," he observed. He further said that the sustained strong winds from the Bay of Bengal and Western Disturbances, coupled with intermittent rainfall, left "no gap for temperatures to rise," thus preventing the usual summer escalation. This shift has brought rare relief in June, a month usually marked by intense heat. For the first time in a decade, the first week of June is being marked by pleasant, even chilly, weather across much of the state. In mountainous areas, people have taken out sweaters and blankets, while in the plains, many have turned off their air conditioners. Shubhankar Dimri, a hotelier in Joshimath, told TNIE, "We are having to wear sweaters even in June this year. Such a weather cycle was last witnessed nearly 30 years ago." Quoting his father, Subhash Dimri, Shubhankar added, "This time, there has been unexpected snowfall in Gorso, just 4 kilometres beyond Auli and Joshimath, which in itself is a record." In Dehradun, the maximum temperature has been recorded at eight degrees below normal for the second time in a week. On Tuesday, the city saw a daytime high of 27.6 degrees Celsius and a night temperature of 17.3 degrees — the lowest June minimum in 10 years. Environmentalists have expressed concern over the shift in weather cycles. Ira Chauhan told TNIE, "The way the summer period has shrunk could prove to be a fatal factor for our vegetation, fruits, horticulture, and overall food security. This is a significant warning bell."
