NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a high alert for the next week, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall across a large part of the country as the southwest monsoon turns intensely active.
According to the weather bureau’s July 11 bulletin, a combination of an active monsoon trough, a western disturbance, and multiple cyclonic circulations will keep the monsoon active until July 16. While the low-pressure system over north-central Uttar Pradesh has weakened, its associated cyclonic system continues to influence the weather across the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Northwest India is set to witness the most active phase of the monsoon during this period. Widespread rainfall is expected over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, while eastern Uttar Pradesh is likely to experience heavy rain until July 13. High moisture and cloud cover will persist over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh.
Region-wise, the IMD has forecast heavy rain for Jammu and Kashmir on July 11 and 12; Himachal Pradesh from July 11 to 15; Uttarakhand from July 11 to 16; Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi from July 11 to 13; and Uttar Pradesh from July 11 to 14.
The hill state of Uttarakhand faces a serious threat, with the weather department issuing a flash flood warning for 10 vulnerable districts, including Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Tehri Garhwal, and Uttarkashi.
In central India, monsoon activity is expected to pick up with thunderstorms and lightning over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh. Heavy rain is projected for eastern Madhya Pradesh between July 14 and 16, and for Chhattisgarh from July 13 to 16, accompanied by strong winds gusting at 40–50 km/h.
Widespread rainfall will also continue across eastern India, covering West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. The IMD has issued an extremely heavy rainfall warning for Bihar on July 11, and for West Bengal and Sikkim on July 11 and 12, raising flood risks in vulnerable areas.
The northeastern states are expected to remain the wettest region in the country this week. Torrential rain is forecast for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura until July 16, with an extremely heavy rainfall alert issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Manipur on July 11.
Meanwhile, parts of Rajasthan recorded light to moderate rain accompanied by winds over the past 24 hours.
For July 12 (Sunday), the IMD stated that the southwest monsoon will remain active across most parts of the country. Thunderstorms and rain are expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Heavy to very heavy rain is likely in parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and eastern Rajasthan. Delhi-NCR will experience cloudy skies, rain, lightning, and strong winds. Authorities have advised citizens to remain alert against landslides in hilly terrains and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
