After days of relentless downpours, the IMD has announced a welcome change in the weather for the Western Himalayan region, Punjab, and Haryana. The spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to decrease starting Thursday, offering a much-needed break for the waterlogged regions.
However, the relief will be partial, as the IMD’s forecast indicates that moderate and isolated heavy rainfall will likely continue over these areas for at least another week.
Understanding the Weather Systems
According to the IMD, the current weather is a result of multiple systems converging over the region. The monsoon trough is positioned close to its normal location, while a low-pressure area has formed over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and is moving west-northwestwards. Additionally, a Western Disturbance is present as a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and Punjab, and another upper air cyclonic circulation lies over south Haryana. The combined influence of these systems has led to the recent extreme weather events.
A senior meteorologist from Skymet Weather, Mahesh Palawat, confirmed the forecast, stating, “We can expect a reduction in rainfall over northern states from tomorrow. The low-pressure area is over central India. The moisture feed is concentrated there.” He added that while rainfall will likely decrease until September 7, it could increase again after that.
Regional Forecast and Warnings
The IMD’s forecast for the coming days includes:
- Uttarakhand: Isolated heavy rainfall is expected to continue until September 9.
- Haryana & Chandigarh: Isolated heavy rainfall is likely on September 4 and 9.
- Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab: Very heavy rainfall is still expected between Wednesday and Thursday.
- Central & East India: Heavy to very heavy rain is likely for the next 2-3 days, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible over West Madhya Pradesh on September 5.
- West India: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecasted for Konkan, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra until September 7, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in Gujarat from September 4 to 6 and in Saurashtra and Kutch on September 6.
Across the affected regions, officials are on high alert as the heavy rainfall has already caused widespread waterlogging, flash floods, and landslides, severely disrupting daily life and displacing thousands of people.