The impact of Cyclone Arnab is beginning to subside, but its residual effects continue to disrupt daily life across several Indian states. While the cyclonic system is weakening, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rising river levels have triggered severe flooding and caused significant casualties, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Rising Waters and Flood Alerts in Bihar
In Bihar, the intensity of Cyclone Arnab has started to decline, yet the challenges posed by continuous downpours remain far from over. Over the past 72 hours, relentless rains accompanied by strong winds have brought a sharp drop in temperatures, with the maximum temperature hovering around 25 degrees Celsius. According to meteorological assessments, certain districts might experience further showers on Sunday. However, this wet spell is expected to weaken by 30 September, which may bring clearer, sunny skies to several areas. In the meantime, heavy rainfall in the Terai region of neighboring Nepal has caused a dramatic rise in the water levels of the Gandak and Kosi rivers. This surge has impacted approximately 6,000 villages across 17 districts, leaving around 500 villages completely surrounded by floodwaters.
Severe Storms and Casualties in Uttar Pradesh
The weather situation in Uttar Pradesh has turned critical due to persistent rainfall. Key administrative and major cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Unnao, Barabanki, Ayodhya, and Jaunpur, along with nearly 45 other urban centers, have been lashed by continuous rain for the last 65 hours. These downpours are accompanied by strong winds blowing at speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour, which has made commuting and outdoor activities nearly impossible. This prolonged spell of severe weather has prompted sudden flash flood warnings in 22 districts across the state. The storm has also caused widespread infrastructural damage, uprooting trees and bringing down electricity poles in multiple areas, leading to extensive power outages. Tragically, the extreme weather conditions and rain-related accidents have claimed 29 lives across the state over the last two days.
Monsoon Deficit Narrows in Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, late September showers in the eastern regions have provided a much-needed boost to the overall monsoon statistics, saving the state from a significant deficit. The state has recorded an average rainfall of 35.6 inches so far, which constitutes approximately 95.4 percent of its total seasonal quota. Despite this positive development, the state is yet to enter the official "normal" rainfall category. Meteorologists define normal seasonal rainfall as falling strictly between 96 and 104 percent of the long-term average. Consequently, Madhya Pradesh still requires a few more spells of consistent rain to touch the baseline of a standard monsoon season.
Yellow Alert and Hailstorms in Rajasthan
The atmospheric dynamics in Rajasthan have shifted due to the combined influence of a western disturbance and a cyclonic system originating from the Bay of Bengal. In response to these changes, a yellow alert has been issued for 16 districts in the state for Sunday. This follows severe weather on Saturday, when areas such as Mandana in Kota and Mohangarh in Jaisalmer witnessed significant rainfall along with hailstorms. The weather office has predicted more rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in several areas in the coming hours.
