After a brief period of respite in the plains, the monsoon is set to regain momentum starting this Monday. The meteorological department has issued a fresh alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and squalls across 18 states. Over the next four days, northern and eastern parts of India are expected to face intense downpours, potentially disrupting normal life once again.
Which States Are Facing Risks?
According to the latest forecasts, the impact of the rain will be significant across both hilly and flat terrains. High-altitude regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, are on alert for heavy rainfall. Additionally, states like Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, and eastern Uttar Pradesh have also been cautioned. Residents in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal should also prepare for wet conditions over the coming four days. A special alert has also been issued for the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, alongside Odisha.
Conditions in the Plains and Rajasthan
In the next two to three days, West Bengal and Bihar are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in specific pockets. In Uttar Pradesh, scattered showers accompanied by thunder and lightning are predicted within the next 24 hours across both eastern and western regions. Meanwhile, parts of Rajasthan, specifically the Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Churu districts, are likely to see light rain on July 14 and 15. Western Rajasthan is also under an alert for strong, dust-laden winds.
Weather Outlook for Delhi
Regarding the national capital, meteorological data suggests no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next seven days. Delhi is expected to experience strong surface winds during the day on Monday. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 37 degrees Celsius, with the minimum settling near 27 degrees Celsius.
Challenges in the Mountains
The situation in the mountainous regions remains critical. Reports indicate incidents of cloudbursts and significant mountain erosion, leading to road blockages caused by large falling boulders. These weather-related disasters have caused widespread damage to houses, shops, and road infrastructure. The weather department has specifically issued a 'Red Alert' for heavy rainfall in 6 districts of Himachal Pradesh. Similarly, a 'Red Alert' has been declared for Uttarakhand due to predictions of very heavy rainfall.
Why Did the Monsoon Slow Down in the Plains?
The primary cause for the stalling of the monsoon over large plains is the dry air arriving from Pakistan. These air currents have spread across the Arabian Sea, Central India, and South India. This shift has pushed monsoon clouds away from major flat regions, including Delhi-NCR, and redirected them toward the mountains, resulting in the ongoing heavy rainfall in high-altitude areas.
