Severe Weather Alert Across 12 States: Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Included; Additional Rainfall Forecasted for Delhi-NCR Region
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Sarah Tancredi, an experienced journalist specializing in environmental and climate crisis issues, brings you an update on the upcoming monsoon rainfall forecast for various regions of India.
Over the next few days, several parts of the country are likely to experience significant rainfall, testing India's resilience as the monsoon advances.
Northern India and Northeast India
Most regions in northern India and Northeast India are facing ongoing monsoon rainfall with localized heavy to very heavy rains. This includes Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Assam.
In Himachal Pradesh, normal to above normal rainfall is expected in August and August-September, except for some high hill areas like Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba where below normal rain is forecast. The weather pattern exhibits the erratic nature of the monsoon, with potential for both widespread effects and localized flooding.
Uttarakhand has already experienced isolated extremely heavy rainfall on August 5-6, and extended forecasts suggest continued monsoon activity with localized heavy rain due to slow monsoon progression.
Peninsular India
Peninsular India, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is likely to receive above normal rainfall during August and September. Kerala, in particular, is expected to see exceptionally high levels of precipitation on August 5 and August 7. Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, is predicted to experience hot, humid conditions with occasional rain but no extreme monsoon activity or widespread heavy rainfall.
Other Regions
East Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are expected to experience heavy rain on August 8 and 9. Punjab will experience intense rain on August 5 and 9, while Odisha expects significant rains on August 6 and 7. Haryana and Madhya Pradesh are expected to be impacted until August 5.
Communities are urged to prioritize safety by avoiding travel and protecting property from anticipated floods. Emergency services are on high alert in areas with a history of waterlogging.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for 12 states from August 4 to August 9, predicting sporadic, intense rains. The IMD continues to monitor the system as the orange signal acts as a call to action for millions of people across the country.
For the most up-to-date warnings and bulletins, checking the IMD websites and specific regional meteorological centers (e.g., Shimla for Himachal Pradesh) is recommended due to the dynamic monsoon behavior.
The skies will continue to be mostly overcast in Delhi-NCR, with temperatures 1-3 degrees Celsius below average-minimums and maximums around 31-33°C.
[1] India Meteorological Department [2] Himachal Pradesh Meteorological Centre [3] Tamil Nadu Meteorological Centre [4] Chennai Meteorological Centre [5] Regional Meteorological Centre, New Delhi
- Sarah Tancredi highlights the importance of environmental science in forecasting and understanding the behavior of monsoon rains in India.
- Various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have begun ESG reporting on the effects of monsoon rainfall on the environment and local communities in India.
- To mitigate the impact of the monsoon, environmental measures such as greener infrastructure and sustainable practices could be implemented in areas susceptible to flooding.
- In the wake of the monsoon forecast, there is a need for thorough weather reporting from reliable sources like the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and regional meteorological centers to ensure community safety and preparedness.
