IMD Under Fire: Did Kerala Ignore Red Alert Before Monsoon Tragedy?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has urged states to take action when an Orange alert is issued, rather than waiting for a red alert. The disaster in Kerala has claimed over 200 lives and trapped hundreds. The Indian Army has successfully evacuated people from affected areas, and members of the Army's Madras Sappers built a makeshift 100-foot bridge to support rescue efforts.

P24 News Media

August 01, 2024

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Weather

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been actively issuing forecasts for significant rainfall along India’s west coast, including a red alert for Kerala early on July 30, according to IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

Heavy Rains Lead to Tragic Landslides in Kerala

Landslides triggered by torrential rains resulted in over 150 deaths in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday, July 30. This disaster has sparked a political exchange between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Political Reactions and IMD's Forecasting Process

On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Kerala government for allegedly ignoring the Centre's warning about potential calamity in Wayanad. In response, Chief Minister Vijayan clarified that the IMD had issued an orange alert before the landslides, but the district received an overwhelming 572 mm of rainfall, far exceeding the IMD's initial prediction.

IMD's Forecasting and Alert System

In a virtual press briefing, IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra explained that the department had provided an extended range forecast on July 18 and July 25, predicting heavy rainfall along the west coast. The IMD issued a yellow warning on July 25, which was escalated to orange on July 29, and ultimately to red on July 30 as the situation worsened.

Mohapatra highlighted the importance of orange warnings, stating they are meant to prompt immediate action, rather than waiting for a red alert, which signals a severe threat.

Warnings for Other Regions

Warnings were also issued for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where heavy rains led to catastrophic cloudbursts. In Himachal Pradesh, these cloudbursts caused the loss of three lives, with approximately 40 individuals reported missing. The rains also resulted in the washing away of houses, roads, and damage to two hydropower projects.

Delhi's Heavy Rainfall and Monsoon Dynamics

Mohapatra also addressed the heavy rainfall in Delhi, explaining that the shift of the monsoon trough northward was responsible for the intense rain in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. An orange warning for Delhi had been issued two days prior to the heavy rainfall.

This monsoon season has witnessed severe weather across several regions, with the IMD continuing to provide updates and forecasts to ensure public safety and preparedness for further adverse weather conditions.