The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday warned of intense monsoon activity across several parts of the country, forecasting torrential rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in multiple states.
According to the latest IMD bulletin, the next 14 hours are expected to be particularly critical, with heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions likely to intensify over several regions.
The weather department said wind speeds could reach up to 80 kmph in some areas, increasing the risk of uprooted trees, power outages, traffic disruptions and waterlogging in low-lying areas. It advised farmers, travellers and residents living near rivers and coastal regions to exercise caution. Authorities in hilly states have also warned of possible landslides and sudden rises in river water levels due to persistent rainfall.
The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand throughout the week. Rainfall activity is also expected to intensify over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan from Monday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at several places during the week.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds have also been forecast in parts of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, with the IMD advising people to avoid open areas during adverse weather conditions.
In eastern India, widespread rainfall is expected over Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Bihar over the coming days.
Among these states, Odisha is likely to witness the most intense spell, with heavy to very heavy rainfall and isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall on July 27. Jharkhand is also expected to receive heavy rainfall, while rainfall activity is likely to increase across Bihar during the week.
The IMD has urged state authorities to remain on alert and advised the public to follow official weather advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, and take necessary precautions in flood-, waterlogging- and landslide-prone areas as the active monsoon continues across large parts of the country.
(With inputs from IANS)
