The India Meteorological Department has released its 7-day weather outlook for the country, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across the eastern, northeastern and western Himalayan regions. The trigger is a low-pressure area that has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast, which is expected to intensify rain activity in the days ahead. Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the northeastern states are set to bear the brunt of this spell, while Delhi-NCR continues to swelter with no rain in sight for the capital and its surrounding areas.
Odisha faces the sharpest alert
The weather department has flagged the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Odisha, with heavy to very heavy rain expected across several parts of the state on July 16 and July 17. Continuous rain raises the risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas, urban flooding and a rise in river water levels. The administration has been asked to stay on alert, and residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during this period.
A week of widespread rain for east and northeast India
The IMD says the spell of widespread rainfall across east and northeast India will continue through the next seven days. Heavy rain is likely at several places in West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha. Bihar could see very heavy rain at isolated places between July 18 and July 20, while West Bengal and Sikkim may witness similar isolated very heavy spells on July 19 and July 20. Jharkhand, too, is forecast to receive heavy rainfall until July 18.
Delhi-NCR still waiting for relief
Even as the eastern and northeastern parts of the country brace for flooding rain, Delhi-NCR finds itself in the opposite situation. Sweat-soaked heat and humidity show no signs of easing there, and there is currently no indication of any rainfall bringing relief to the capital region.
