The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued the wide-scale rain alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in a number of parts of the country over the next seven days.
There is currently an active monsoon pattern and the presence of a well-marked low pressure area and associated cyclonic circulation in many areas is expected to keep the rainfall heavy.
According to IMD, the southwest monsoon is likely to advance further and cover the remaining parts of north India within the next two to three days. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, and other states are expected to receive widespread rainfall with very heavy showers in some places.
Meteorologists said that a well-established low-pressure area over central India and an offshore trough extending along the west coast and upper-air cyclonic circulation of monsoons along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are contributing to moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal to the region. These systems are likely to sustain active monsoon conditions and lead to persistent rain, thunderstorms and localized strong winds over multiple states in the coming week.
The IMD has said heavy rainfall could cause waterlogging in urban areas, localized flooding in low-lying areas and road and rail transport disruption. Hilly states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and parts of the northeast are also vulnerable to landslides, mudslides and flash floods due to continuous rainfall. Residents and tourists were advised to stay updated with national weather bulletins and avoid unnecessary travel to places in the rain-hit region.
In western India, Maharashtra, Konkan, Goa, Gujarat, and coastal Karnataka will continue to experience heavy rainfall. Many districts have already seen above-normal monsoon activity, with overflowing rivers and waterlogged roads and disruptions in daily life. Emergency teams are on hand and residents living near rivers and flood-prone areas should be prepared.
Kerala and interior Karnataka are also likely to experience rains, thunderstorms and lightning. Farmers are also warned to save crops and ensure proper drainage in agricultural fields to avoid crop damage from excessive rainfall.
The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into rough sea conditions in parts of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal where strong winds and high waves are expected.
Northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh) is forecast to see increased rainfall activity in the next few days. Thunderstorms with gusty winds may lead to power disruptions, falling tree branches and traffic congestion in urban centres. People are advised to avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms and stay indoors if lightning activity increases.
The IMD has also emphasized basic monsoon safety precautions for citizens. The public should avoid driving through flooded roads, stay away from swollen rivers and streams, unplug electrical appliances during severe lightning and look up weather advisories before traveling. In some states, disaster management teams and emergency response teams are now in place to respond to any weather-related incidents.
The active monsoon spell is expected to improve water storage levels in reservoirs and support agriculture, but a prolonged period of rainfall is likely to lead to infrastructure damage, crop losses and transport problems. Officials are monitoring river levels and weather conditions and will probably have to issue more alerts as soon as the monsoon increases.
As India enters another week of active monsoon activity, residents in the affected states should take precautions to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall. With thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in several regions, preparedness and caution should be exercised to minimize the impact of the ongoing weather system.
