From the middle of this week India is expected to witness a second break in monsoon which can lead to another wet spell in the hilly states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. These states are already battling with a grappling situation with floods in the region and hence the disaster management of states are expected to be on standby.The underlying cause for the shift of the monsoon trough from its normal position towards the north is considered to be because of the El Nino phenomenon, according to experts of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).The monsoon trough shifted towards the north from its normal position within the last ten days and in the next few days the second phase of weak monsoon or break monsoon is expected to begin.Accorning to the IMD, the northern shift of monsoon can lead to a reduced rainfall in the plains particularly the north-west India and peninsular India as well as higher rainfall activity over the Himalayan Foothills which can stretch from Himachal Pradesh in the north to parts of North-east in the east.There is also uncertainty about the shift of the monsoon trough to its normal position since the conditions are still fluctuating.Hilly North to be on alertThe northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are already experiencing heavy rainfall that has lead to major destruction of life and property in the region. With the incoming of a break monsoon the states are expected to be on high alert.The disaster management forces of the two states are on high alert now and have mentioned that they have their personals on standby so that immediate and quick response can be taken on the situation.The director of Himachal Pradesh state disaster management has said that they have taken all appropriate measures to help if the situation deteriorates. “All concerned departments and officials have been put on alert. Rescue teams are prepared to move swiftly to flood and landslide prone areas. Men and machinery have been put in place to restore the roads in case of blockades,” he said.
