Atmospheric conditions across a vast portion of the country have shifted significantly, prompting weather authorities to issue comprehensive forecasts. The Meteorological Department has predicted persistent cloud cover over the national capital Delhi and its adjacent national capital region on Thursday. Concurrently, heavy rainfall activity is set to intensify across multiple states, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Owing to the severity of the expected precipitation, weather forecasters have declared an Orange Alert for the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Atmospheric Depression System and Regional Waterlogging
According to the meteorological data, a well-marked depression centered over northern Jharkhand, south-western Bihar, and south-eastern Uttar Pradesh is driving severe rainfall conditions across eastern Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Under the influence of this meteorological system, widespread rainfall is anticipated in Bihar and Jharkhand, alongside isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall in eastern Madhya Pradesh. Intense downpours on Wednesday already caused substantial waterlogging across several areas in Uttar Pradesh, disrupting daily movement and local infrastructure.
Weather Trajectory Across North-West India
In the north-western region of India, heavy rainfall spells are projected to continue through 22 August across Himachal Pradesh as well as Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad. The hilly state of Uttarakhand is expected to remain under the influence of continuous heavy downpours until 25 August, posing persistent risks of localized disruptions.
Across the northern plains, western districts of Uttar Pradesh are likely to receive heavy rainfall until 23 August. Furthermore, eastern Uttar Pradesh is forecast to experience an escalation in heavy rain activity from 22 August through 25 August. Between 23 August and 25 August, isolated locations across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad may continue to observe scattered rainfall spells.
Central India Rainfall Intensity and Lightning Alerts
Regarding Central India, western Madhya Pradesh is expected to witness light to moderate isolated rainfall on 24 August and 25 August. Prior to that, isolated heavy rainfall is predicted for western Madhya Pradesh during 20-21 August and 23-24 August, with an alert for very heavy rain on 22 August. Eastern Madhya Pradesh faces potential isolated extremely heavy rainfall from 23 August to 25 August.
In the Vidarbha region, rain warnings are active for 20-22 August and 24-25 August. The state of Chhattisgarh will be on rain alert during 21-22 August, following spells of very heavy rainfall between 19 August and 21 August. Additionally, isolated areas of Chhattisgarh are likely to experience rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning from 23 August to 25 August.
East India Heavy Precipitation and Lightning Threats
In eastern India, extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations is expected until 25 August across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Jharkhand has been placed under a heavy rain alert from 22 August to 25 August, following isolated showers on 20 August and 21 August.
Bihar is set to witness heavy rainfall between 21 August and 23 August, with active rain spells also predicted for 19-20 August and 24-25 August. Crucially, a severe weather warning highlights moderate to intense lightning strikes across Bihar on 22 August. Odisha is under a heavy rainfall alert from 21 August to 25 August, after experiencing rain activities on 19 August and 20 August.
North-East Regional Weather Forecast
Across the north-eastern states, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Arunachal Pradesh until 22 August, followed by scattered light to moderate showers between 23 August and 25 August. Heavy rain is forecast for Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura on 22 August and 25 August, with rainfall continuing through 23-24 August. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected to affect several parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura until 22 August.
Western India Precipitation Patterns
Across western India, rainfall will persist through 25 August in Konkan and Goa. Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada are likely to see rain on 20 August, with sustained precipitation predicted from 21 August through 25 August. Thunderstorm activity with lightning is warned for Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on 20 August. Gujarat state will observe rainfall activity across various districts from 20 August to 25 August.
Southern Region Precipitation Outlook
In southern India, widespread rain is anticipated across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Telangana through 25 August. Coastal Karnataka is likewise expected to experience continuous wet weather until 25 August. Kerala and Lakshadweep will see rainfall spells during 21-22 August, as well as on 20 August and between 23 August and 25 August.
