A deep depression will intensify over the Bay of Bengal; orange alert for Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra Jul 28: IMD

A well-marked low pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Odisha-West Bengal coast has intensified into a deep depression and is likely to produce heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of North, Central and East India in the coming days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the weather system along with an active monsoon trough will create favorable conditions for heavy rainfall in several states.

The system is forecast to trigger widespread showers over the Indo-Gangetic plains and central India.

On Tuesday, July 28, the IMD issued an orange alert for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, parts of Telangana, interior Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu for heavy rain up to north Kerala.

Heavy rain likely over northern India

Widespread rainfall is forecast over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and Uttarakhand from July 28 to August 2.

For Delhi and its neighboring regions, including Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab, July 28 marks the start of an active monsoon spell that is expected to continue till July 31.

Read also | IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh

Similar conditions are expected across West Uttar Pradesh while East Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.

The hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to experience widespread rainfall between July 28 and 31, with Uttarakhand likely to witness particularly heavy rains on July 28 and 29. Heavy downpours could increase the risk of flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Central India will witness intense monsoon activity

The rain belt is expected to remain active over Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha and bring widespread rainfall. East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, while heavy showers are also predicted over West Madhya Pradesh.

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal triggers heavy rain.(IMD)

“Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over West Madhya Pradesh on July 28 and during July 30 to August 1; East Madhya Pradesh during July 27 to July 28 and July 31; Vidarbha on July 27 and July 30; and Chhattisgarh during July 29 to August 2. Isolated very heavy rainfall is also likely over Madhya Pradesh West Madhya Pradesh East Madhya Pradesh July 29-30 Vidarbha during July 28-29 and Chhattisgarh during July 27-28,” the IMD said.

Read also | Monsoon to remain active over north, east; IMD warns of flash floods

Eastern states remain under the influence of the weather system

East India is expected to remain under the influence of the weather system, with Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand likely to receive significant rainfall.

Odisha is forecast to continue to witness heavy rains even after the depression moves inland, while Ganga West Bengal and Jharkhand could receive heavy showers as the system moves northwest. Heavy rainfall is also likely in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.

Read also | Monsoon rains ease in most of India, risk of flooding in east and northeast: IMD

A heavy monsoon continues along the west coast

Along the west coast, heavy monsoon conditions are expected to persist over Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka and adjoining areas. Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places, especially along the Western Ghats.

Thunderstorm and gusty wind forecast

The IMD has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over parts of Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Strong surface winds are likely over coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the affected sea areas as rough sea conditions are expected to prevail.