The monsoon is currently active over central India and is expected to remain strong over northwest India in the coming days, with heavy to very heavy rain likely in several states, including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Haryana, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Sunday.
Commuters were caught in heavy showers on National Highway-48 near Rajiv Chowk in Gurugram, as captured in visuals from Sunday.
So far, the country has recorded 10% above-normal rainfall this monsoon, though the distribution has varied by region. As per the IMD, northwest India has received 30% excess rainfall, central India 37% above normal, while the South Peninsula is facing an 8% deficiency and east and northeast India are seeing a 24% shortfall.
“Heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall likely over west Madhya Pradesh, east Rajasthan during July 13 to 15, west Rajasthan on July 14 and 15. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over east India the during next 2-3 days,” IMD said in a press release. “The monsoon trough is active; with its western end running to the south of its normal position and eastern end near its normal position at mean sea level.”
In addition, two low-pressure systems are likely to form in the next 24 hours. One is expected over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha, due to an upper air cyclonic circulation currently over the north Bay of Bengal.
Another cyclonic circulation lies over central parts of north Madhya Pradesh, which could lead to the formation of a second low-pressure area over northwest Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions within 24 hours.
The IMD has also forecast that a fresh western disturbance (WD) will impact the Western Himalayan region.
“During the last few days rainfall had reduced but cumulatively rainfall was above normal during the past few days. Now again rainfall activity will increase. A fresh low-pressure area is developing over central India and another over north Bay of Bengal. These will cause a lot of rain as they move,” M Mohapatra, director general, IMD, said.
“Further, a WD is approaching and there is a cyclonic circulation over NW India. Interaction of these two systems is expected to cause heavy rain over parts of north India. So, we have given specific warnings,” Mohapatra added.
The IMD has issued warnings for extremely heavy rainfall (≥210 mm) in isolated parts of east Rajasthan until July 15, and in west Rajasthan over the next two days.
Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely in the following areas:
- Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh till July 17
- Uttarakhand till July 19
- Punjab on July 16
- Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on July 14
- West Uttar Pradesh on July 17 and 18
- East Uttar Pradesh until July 17
- Rajasthan until July 18, with very heavy rainfall in eastern UP on July 16 and across Rajasthan till July 16
“Light/moderate rainfall is likely at most/many places accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning likely over western Himalayan region and some/many places over the plains during next 7 days,” IMD added.