The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday forecast enhanced rainfall across East and Northeast India, East Uttar Pradesh and the Western Himalayan Region over the next seven days under the influence of a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal. Odisha is expected to receive isolated extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday, prompting a red alert.
The weather system, currently positioned over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts, is likely to move northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal over the next two days. IMD said the system will trigger widespread rainfall across eastern and northern parts of the country, while rainfall activity is expected to remain subdued over west-central and south Peninsular India during the next seven days.
During the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in Odisha, while very heavy rainfall occurred in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Bihar. Heavy rainfall was also reported from parts of Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Konkan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Nagaland and Tripura.
Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching 60-80 kmph were recorded at isolated places over Punjab and Gujarat, while several other states experienced winds of 40-60 kmph.
IMD rainfall forecast:
-East India: Heavy to very heavy rainfall over Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim. Odisha is likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall on July 16, with very heavy rainfall continuing on July 17.
-Northeast India: Widespread rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, with isolated very heavy rainfall expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya.
-Northwest India: Increasing rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, particularly from July 18 onwards due to an approaching western disturbance.
-Central India:Heavy rainfall likely over Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha during the next several days.
-West India: Konkan and Goa are expected to receive widespread rainfall, while isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Madhya Maharashtra.
-South Peninsular India: Rainfall activity will remain below normal, although isolated showers are expected over Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Heatwave conditions
Despite active monsoon conditions elsewhere, IMD has warned of heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema on July 16, and over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during July 16-17. Hot and humid conditions are also expected over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi weather forecast
Delhi is expected to witness partly cloudy skies and hot, humid conditions on July 16 and 17, with maximum temperatures ranging between 37°C and 40°C. Light rain accompanied by gusty winds is likely on July 18 and 19, bringing temperatures down to around 34-37°C.
Fishermen advisory
IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into:
-The north and central Bay of Bengal, including along the Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal coasts, during July 16-18.
-Large parts of the Arabian Sea, including waters off Gujarat and the Maharashtra coast, on specified dates due to rough sea conditions.
The department warned that extremely heavy rainfall over Odisha could lead to:
-Localised flooding and waterlogging in urban areas
-Traffic disruptions and closure of low-lying roads and underpasses
-Landslides in vulnerable hilly regions
-Damage to kutcha roads, vulnerable structures and standing crops
-Rise in river levels in some catchments
Residents have been advised to avoid waterlogged areas, follow traffic advisories and stay away from vulnerable structures.
IMD also issued agrometeorological advisories asking farmers in rain-affected states to maintain proper drainage in crop fields, postpone irrigation and fertiliser application, and protect harvested produce. Livestock owners have been advised to keep animals sheltered, while fish farmers have been asked to ensure proper drainage around ponds to prevent overflow.
Additionally, IMD has indicated a low to moderate flash flood risk over several districts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hours due to expected heavy rainfall.
