Cloudburst Chronicles: Monsoon Unleashes a Week of Wet Warnings Across India

Image Source: The Financial Express

India's meteorological department has declared a general warning as a massive monsoon burst sweeps over vast sections of the nation. Driven by a low-pressure belt in the Bay of Bengal and cyclonic weather over several areas, the rains are expected to increase over the next 6–7 days, increasing flood threats and paralysing normal life in some states.

Rainfall Update

North and central India are likely to have very heavy to heavy rain, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

The eastern Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha are also in the path of heavy rains.

Coastal West Bengal and interior West Bengal, including Kolkata, saw gusty winds and thunderstorms and warnings have been extended over the weekend.

Their southern neighbors like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka are also likely to get patchy but heavy rain.

Konkan coast, Goa, and Gujarat are in orange alert for heavy rains.

Regional Impact Highlights

West Bengal

The coastal districts of East and West Midnapore, Bankura, and Purulia have been put on red alert for heavy rain and strong winds.

North Bengal districts like Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling are prone to landslides as the soil is waterlogged.

Kolkata is cloudy with moderate rain and high relative humidity.

Uttar Pradesh

The northern and central parts are going to have heavy to very heavy rain during the next 2–3 days.

The Terai belt is also being monitored for exceptionally heavy rain and associated flooding.

Eastern UP's rain shortages may be made up by the oncoming deluge.

Telangana

Hyderabad and the nearby districts experienced three days of rain continuously.

Adilabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Warangal districts are under red alert for heavy rain.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are predicted in all 33 districts.

Preparedness Priorities The authorities are keeping an eye on river catchments like the Godavari, Mahanadi, and Krishna for increasing water levels.

Those municipalities along rivers and hills need to prepare themselves for flash flooding and waterlogging.

Fishermen along the Bay of Bengal coast have been cautioned against going out in view of high seas and a wind speed of 65 kmph.

Prospects and Advice

The IMD has requested state governments to remain on high alert, especially in flood-hit and hilly regions.

Individuals are asked to avoid unnecessary travel, stay aware of official weather forecasts, and secure loose outdoor items.

Emergency facilities and relief organizations stand prepared to mobilize within the affected areas.

Sources The Statesman, Economic Times, The Hindu, Indian Express, India Meteorological Department, MSN Weather Reports