The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant weather alert, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across various parts of the country until August 29. This prolonged spell of wet weather is attributed to a combination of meteorological factors, including a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and a monsoon trough extending across northern and central India.
Intense Rainfall Expected in Central and Eastern India
Odisha is identified as facing the most immediate and intense threat, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected. Other states under a high alert for heavy to very heavy rain include Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, and parts of East Uttar Pradesh. The IMD’s latest bulletin, updated on August 24, highlights a low-pressure system moving northwestwards across northern Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal as a primary driver of these conditions.
Regional Forecasts and Flash Flood Risks
- August 23: Isolated extremely heavy rainfall for Odisha. Heavy to very heavy rain for Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Vidarbha. Heavy rain also for Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, and several northeastern states.
- Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh: Delhi, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh are expected to see isolated heavy rainfall on August 23. East Uttar Pradesh faces a longer period of widespread rainfall through August 26, with heavy rain likely from August 24-27.
- August 24-25: Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha remain on high alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall. Heavy rain is also forecast for East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Maharashtra, and Vidarbha.
- August 26-27: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated over East Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, with heavy rain continuing in East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and parts of the Northeast.
- Northeast India: This region is expected to remain active throughout the week, with widespread or fairly widespread rain for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and other northeastern states until August 29.
The IMD has also warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, as well as districts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Saturated soils in low-lying areas could experience significant runoff and localized inundation.
Agricultural Impact and Advisories
The prolonged and intense rainfall poses considerable risks to agriculture, especially in regions where soils are already waterlogged. Farmers are advised to ensure effective drainage in their fields, remove excess water, and consider postponing certain farming operations until soil conditions improve. Waterlogging remains a primary concern for crop health during this period.