The North East India, where the economy is primarily based on agricultural activities, is reeling under deficit rainfall condition so far this year that is posing serious hazards to cultivation of paddy, the principal crop in the region.
The state broadcasters have started the practice, but private news channels may follow suit, a ministry source said.
Officials in the Regional Meteorological Centre of Assam said several places in Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Barak valley of Assam had been witnessing heavy rainfall since Thursday night.
The Regional Meteorological Centre said fishermen in coastal areas were asked not to venture into the sea.
The system moved north-northeastwards at 20 kmph in the last six hours and is over west-central Bay of Bengal, 90 km from Gopalpur, 120 km from Puri and 210 km from Paradip, the weather office said in its 11.30 am bulletin.
The Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has forecast a cloudy sky and rain on Thursday, when the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be placed.
Monsoon in Mumbai is likely to get stronger and the city may experience heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours, a senior MeT official said on Thursday.
A well-marked low pressure over Bay of Bengal and Indian ocean is likely to concentrate into a depression in the next 24 hours, and bring heavy rainfall to coastal Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry from December 1, MeT office said on Tuesday.
People spent a sleepless night as a series of aftershocks shook Assam after a strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings.
Heavy falls at isolated places are very likely over Kerala on April 29 and 30. The system will not make landfall in Tamil Nadu, but may bring light rain in some northern parts, it said.
Bringing in the much-needed respite from the hot and humid conditions, the monsoon arrived in Mumbai with heavy showers lashing the city Thursday night and Friday morning.
The epicenter of the quake was Sonitpur and the quake occurred at 7.51 am at a depth of 17 kilometres, it said.
A red alert has been sounded in three districts of Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad in Kerala.
4 people have died owing to the floods.
Heavy overnight rains lashed Kolkata leading to water-logging in many parts and slow traffic movement.
The toll in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu rose to 48 on Thursday even as the MeT office forecast another spell of heavy showers next week following formation of a new trough of low pressure.
Schools and colleges are set to reopen on Monday in three adjoining districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur after remaining closed for nearly ten days in view of the monsoon fury.
Under its impact, rains will start on Sunday night and gradually increase on Monday in the northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram, S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said.
Announcing the start of day-time domestic commercial operations, the Airports Authority of India said on Saturday night that decision on night operations would be taken on Sunday.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the victims
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