India braces for another bout of torrential rain as the south-west monsoon enters an active phase this week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather body has issued a rainfall alert for several states, including flood-affected regions such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand, among others. Despite heavy monsoon-triggered floods and landslides in some areas, other parts of the country have experienced rain deficiency in recent weeks. However, relief seems to be on the horizon as meteorologists predict a substantial increase in rainfall across central and peninsular India.
M Mohapatra, the director general at the weather office, highlighted the formation of a low-pressure area over northern Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand. This weather system is expected to bring heavy and widespread rainfall to these regions over the next five days. Today, various districts in Odisha, including Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and others, will witness heavy rainfall for 24 hours. On Tuesday, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, and other districts can expect very heavy rainfall. Similarly, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and East Rajasthan will continue to face similar weather conditions over the next three days.
In Haryana and Chandigarh, heavy rainfall is expected within the next 24 hours, while Delhi, which is already dealing with flood-like situations in some areas, will experience generally cloudy skies with light rain and thundershowers. Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim will also continue to experience isolated heavy rainfall. Central India, specifically Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh, will witness isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. Konkan and Goa can expect heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 18 to 21, while Gujarat and central Maharashtra will experience heavy showers in isolated pockets until July 21. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also likely in the region until July 17. The floods in Assam persist as heavy rainfall continues to drench the state.
Meghalaya and Tripura are also expected to experience similar weather conditions. Moving to southern India, the IMD forecasts light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall along the coast of Karnataka until July 21. Telangana will also see widespread rainfall until July 20, while Andhra Pradesh and Kerala can anticipate rainfall from July 18 to 20. As India prepares for another active phase of the south-west monsoon, the IMD’s warnings signal the need for precautionary measures in flood-prone areas. Local authorities and residents should remain vigilant and take necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and property.