India Weather: INSAT-3DS captures dramatic shift as heavy clouds cover east and south; the northwest turns clear; here’s why | Today’s news
The satellite image captured a stark contrast in India’s weather, with large parts of the east, center and south covered in thick clouds, while the northwest appears significantly brighter.
The INSAT-3DS image taken on September 24 shows how weather conditions vary widely across the country as September draws to a close and the southwest monsoon enters its retreat phase.
One country, two very different weather scenes
The satellite view presents a marked difference between the eastern and northwestern regions of India.
Areas around central and eastern India will be dominated by dense cloud, with considerable cloud cover also visible over southern parts and the Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile, skies over Rajasthan, Gujarat and a few adjoining areas appear to be relatively clear.
The difference is largely due to the presence of an active weather system in the east and the gradual transition to drier conditions in the northwest.
The Andhra-Odisha system is changing the weather picture
A deep depression located over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha is contributing to widespread cloud cover, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The system has already brought rainfall to Odisha, Chhattisgarh and neighboring areas. Its movement to the northwest allows moisture to spread further inland and maintain atmospheric conditions favorable for rainfall in parts of central India.
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The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rains over parts of east and central India, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall also possible.
The Bay of Bengal sends moisture inland
The satellite image shows a large concentration of clouds over the Bay of Bengal, which is supplying moisture to the weather system.
Moist winds moving inland from the Gulf may enhance cloud development as the depression moves inland. This helps explain the extensive cloud formations seen in parts of eastern and central India.
Therefore, the combination of depression and abundant moisture keeps several areas in active weather conditions.
Monsoons are beginning to recede in the northwest
Relatively clear skies in northwest India reflect a different phase of the seasonal cycle.
During this period, the southwest monsoon begins to withdraw from northwest India, allowing drier conditions to gradually settle in some parts of the region. With less moisture available for large cloud formation, satellite images can show a noticeably brighter landscape.
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This does not mean that the entire country is moving into dry weather at the same time. Monsoon withdrawal progresses unevenly, while individual weather systems may continue to produce rainfall elsewhere.
What a satellite image can tell us
INSAT-3DS imagery uses thermal infrared observations to monitor cloud top temperatures. This helps meteorologists identify areas of deep and potentially active convection, according to Moneycontrol.
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Very cold cloud tops generally indicate high cloud formations. Such clouds can be associated with thunderstorms and periods of intense rain, making satellite observations useful for tracking developing weather systems.
However, the images represent the atmospheric conditions at the time of observation and should be read in conjunction with the official IMD forecasts and warnings for specific locations.
India weather map remains in transition
The weather picture could reportedly change as the depression moves further inland and weakens. Cloud formations, precipitation intensity, and areas affected by the system may shift as it moves.
The latest INSAT-3DS image provides a snapshot of this transition: while the influence of the monsoon is weakening in parts of the northwest, moisture-driven weather activity remains prominent in the east, center and south.
