Heavy rains to continue for another 48 hours in NE

Agartala, Jul 26 (UNI) Indian Meteorological Department today forecast heavy to very heavy rains over Northeast, including Tripura, in the next 48 hours.

Tripura had so far received more than 95 per cent of average annual rainfall, IMD sources said.

A National Centre Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) report said the axis of the monsoon trough passed through normal position on July 12 but the western end of the trough gradually shifted towards north and laid close to the Himalayan foothills on July 18 causing heavy rains over Tripura, Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram since last few days.

Official sources said the state had calculated heavy loss of the standing crops following flash floods in southern part of the state.

About 3000 people have taken shelter in relief camps and over 5000 were still wading in knee-deep water looking for shelter.

UNI