Key Points:
- Cyclone Shakti in Arabian Sea and powerful western disturbance to bring severe rain, hail, and strong winds to most states
- IMD issues multiple alerts; NDRF and SDRF teams on standby for quick disaster response
- Lightning deaths, flash floods, and landslide risks surge across north, west, and east India
- Pilgrimages, fishing, and travel suspended in several regions; warnings issued for coastal and hilly areas
New Delhi: Meteorological authorities have raised alarms as “Cyclone Shakti,” active in the Arabian Sea but not directly hitting India, teams up with a fast-moving western disturbance, amplifying extreme weather nationwide. Over the next two days, states from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi to Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir will likely see torrential rain, hailstorms, and winds reaching up to 100 km/h. Fishermen have been strictly advised to avoid the sea for the next five days, with high waves and squalls already battering the coastlines of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Northwest India on Orange Alert
From October 5th to 7th, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are bracing for heavy to very heavy rain, mountain snowfall, and flash floods. Pilgrimages to Vaishno Devi, Machail, Kedarnath, and Badrinath have been suspended due to unsafe conditions in high-altitude zones, where snowfalls are expected above 4,000 meters. Uttarakhand’s Dehradun and Haridwar, along with plains areas like Punjab and Delhi-NCR, face heavy rain on October 6th, threatening waterlogging and widespread disruptions.
Disaster Impact Spreads: Hail, Landslides, and Lightning
The dual weather systems have flooded the Terai belt of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh with persistent downpours and hail, greatly raising the risk of both waterlogging and dangerous landslides in hilly terrain. IMD meteorologist Divya Surendran explained that the “simultaneous activation of cyclone and western disturbance has multiplied rainfall intensity,” prompting authorities to deploy NDRF and SDRF units in flood-prone districts.
In eastern India, lightning strikes claimed nine lives in Bihar over two days, while Jharkhand remains under a yellow alert with severe rain predicted in 11 districts. Residents have been urged to monitor advisories, avoid outdoor exposure, and secure property against unexpected weather surges.
Severe Weather Timeline: What to Expect
| State/Region | Alert Type | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra, Gujarat | Cyclone, Heavy Rain | Coastal flooding, 100 km/h winds |
| Jammu & Kashmir, HP | Orange, Snow/Rain | Suspension of pilgrimages, landslides |
| Uttar Pradesh, Bihar | Heavy/Hail Alert | Flash flood, lightning deaths |
| Delhi-NCR, Punjab | Orange, Heavy Rain | Waterlogging, travel disruption |
| Uttarakhand (Hill districts) | Snow/Rain Alert | Danger at shrines above 4000m |
| Jharkhand | Yellow Rain Alert | Severe rain in 11 districts |
