A low pressure area that has formed over the Bay of Bengal and the coast off northern Odisha and West Bengal has given the monsoon a fresh push, prompting the weather department to issue alerts for light to heavy rainfall in 22 states across the country. Over the next seven days, rainfall activity is expected to intensify across eastern and northeastern India, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the western Himalayan region, with wind speeds touching 40 to 70 kilometres per hour in several areas.
The system is set to strengthen further
The low pressure area is expected to intensify further over the next two days and move towards the plains of north Odisha and West Bengal. Its effect is likely to bring strong winds along with lightning in several parts of the country. According to the weather department, wind speeds could reach 40 to 70 kilometres per hour, and people, including farmers, have been advised to take precautions.
Delhi to see humid heat, temperature up to 40 degrees
The national capital will see partly cloudy skies today, but humid heat is likely to continue troubling residents. Temperatures could touch 40 degrees Celsius, which has led the weather department to issue a yellow alert for Delhi.
Heavy rain alerts for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand
Eastern Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall between July 17 and July 21. Western Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, will see scattered rain between July 16 and July 18, followed by heavy rain accompanied by winds of 40 to 60 kilometres per hour between July 19 and July 21.
Bihar is expected to see rain across most areas between July 16 and July 20, while some parts of the state could witness heavy rain along with thunder and lightning between July 18 and July 20.
Jharkhand has been placed under a heavy rain alert until July 18, with rainfall expected across the entire state till July 21. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are also likely during this period.
Hill states brace for heavy spells too
Uttarakhand will see widespread rain between July 16 and July 21, with a heavy rain alert in place for July 20 and July 21. In Himachal Pradesh, the spread of rainfall will increase from July 18 onward, with heavy rain expected on July 20 and July 21. Jammu and Kashmir, meanwhile, is likely to see heavy rain along with strong winds between July 19 and July 21.
The 22 states under alert
The weather department's alert for heavy rainfall covers 22 states, prominently including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland. People across these regions have been advised to plan their week keeping the expected rain, strong winds and thunderstorms in mind.
