Widespread rain likely over central, eastern and western India: IMD | Today’s news

Mumbai: Rainfall is expected to continue to be widespread over central, eastern and western India during the next week, while northwest India is likely to witness mostly isolated to scattered showers, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The forecast comes as the country’s cumulative rainfall for the monsoon season remains 15% below normal. India received 650.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 10, against the normal 766.5 mm, according to the IMD. The southwest monsoon is critical to India’s water security and agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 70% of the country’s annual rainfall.

Central India is expected to remain one of the more active rainfall zones. East and West Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha are likely to experience moderate to widespread rainfall during September 12-14, while Chhattisgarh may witness similar conditions till September 15. Rainfall is expected to be more scattered after that. Vidarbha may also witness thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, during 11-12. September.

Northwest India, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and adjoining areas are likely to experience isolated to scattered rainfall during September 12-14 and again on September 17. Himachal Pradesh may witness similar rainfall till September 17, while Uttarakhand is expected to receive showers during September 15-17. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely over Uttarakhand during 12-14. September and Jammu and Kashmir during 15-16 September.

Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and East Uttar Pradesh are likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall till September 17. West Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh may experience showers during September 12-17, while East Rajasthan is likely to experience fairly widespread rainfall during September 14-16.

In eastern India, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast over Andaman and Nicobar Islands and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during 12-17 September. Gangetic West Bengal is likely to experience widespread showers during September 12-13, while Odisha is expected to witness such rainfall on September 12.

Northeast India will also remain humid. Arunachal Pradesh is likely to experience moderate to widespread rainfall during 12-17. September, while in Assam and Meghalaya they can during the 12th and 15-17 September sees extensive showers. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya during September 12-15.

West India, Konkan and Goa are likely to see widespread rains during September 12-17. Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Gujarat are expected to experience widespread rainfall during the week.

Across Peninsular India, rainfall is likely to remain mostly isolated to scattered, although coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala may experience periods of widespread showers during the forecast period.