Guwahati: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Assam over the next two days, prompting the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) to issue an alert on Saturday. A red alert has been issued for Kokrajhar and Chirang districts for Sunday, while Baksa, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji have been placed under an orange alert.An IMD red alert calls for authorities to “take action,” whereas an orange alert advises them to “be prepared.”In a media release issued on Saturday, ASDMA said the IMD has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over the next two to three days in Chirang, Kokrajhar, Baksa, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Dhubri districts.“The weather pattern suggests that thunderstorm and lightning with heavy spells of rain is very likely to occur in the districts, specially in the western part of the state in the coming 2-3 days which may aggravate water logging, slow vehicular movement, and increase the risk of localized landslides in vulnerable pockets,” ASDMA said on Saturday.The authority added that district administrations, along with ASDMA, are keeping a close watch on the evolving weather situation, with emergency response mechanisms remaining on high alert.Given the forecast, ASDMA urged residents across the state to exercise caution and remain vigilant. “Daily commuters and long-distance travellers are requested to plan their routines accordingly, avoiding unnecessary movement during periods of intense rainfall. Residents in low-lying and hillside areas should stay alert for any signs of flooding or landslides,” ASDMA cautioned.According to the IMD, during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, isolated areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam recorded heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 11 cm.
