As the monsoon season wreaks havoc across several states in India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather warning that forebodes more suffering and destruction in the days to come. The affected states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, and flood-devastated Himachal Pradesh, are not expected to find relief anytime soon, as the relentless downpours persist. According to the IMD’s latest forecast, a cyclonic circulation over northwest Madhya Pradesh and the surrounding regions, coupled with the formation of a low pressure area (LOPAR) off Odisha’s coast in the Bay of Bengal, continue to be the primary drivers of the unyielding rainfall in these states.
The weather body has also cautioned about the possibility of further landslides in the hilly regions of Maharashtra and Odisha, while other areas may face the woes of waterlogging. The IMD predicts that the LOPAR will trigger light to moderate widespread precipitation across the state until July 24, with isolated areas experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall. Another low pressure area is expected to form on July 24. In light of possible landslide threats, precautionary measures have been advised for districts including Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, and Gajapati.
The coastal states are likely to witness continuous widespread rainfall, with some areas experiencing very heavy rainfall in the next five days. Mumbai, in particular, will face extremely heavy rainfall in isolated pockets until Saturday. Gujarat has been put on an ‘Orange’ alert for the day, as the state anticipates ‘heavy to very heavy’ rainfall. Schools in certain districts of Maharashtra will remain closed until Saturday due to the inclement weather. The IMD predicts “light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall” with isolated areas experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall. Konkan and Goa could witness isolated “extremely” heavy rainfall on July 21. The hilly states are expected to receive light to moderate widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall until July 24.
The risk of flash floods remains in districts such as Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Sirmaur during this period. The eastern parts of the state are likely to experience very heavy rainfall and continue to receive widespread precipitation until July 24, with some areas expecting heavy showers during the same period. The state government has declared a two-day holiday for all government offices and educational institutions in Hyderabad until Saturday following an Orange warning from the IMD. The state is expected to witness widespread rainfall, with heavy showers in certain areas for the next five days. The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall alert for western parts of the state on July 24.
The weather office predicts isolated heavy rainfall in various northeastern states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura until Saturday; in Assam and Meghalaya until July 24; and over Arunachal Pradesh on July 23-24. The IMD predicts a likelihood of widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall in Kerala, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam during the next five days. As the IMD’s predictions paint a grim picture of the weather conditions across multiple states, authorities and residents are urged to stay vigilant, take precautionary measures, and prioritize safety in the face of the ongoing monsoon fury.