Monsoon rains are intensifying across India even before the first week of July draws to a close. The India Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain warning for 25 states for July 7, with four of those states placed under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall. Forecasters have also flagged the risk of thunderstorms, lightning strikes and gusty winds through the day.
The department uses a colour coded alert system to indicate how serious the rain threat is, a yellow alert calls for awareness, an orange alert calls for preparedness, and a red alert calls for immediate action. Officials and emergency services in the four red alert states have been told to remain fully on standby today.
According to weather scientists, a depression formed over Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh is gradually moving north west, and it has combined with an active monsoon trough, a western disturbance and a steady flow of moisture from the Arabian Sea. Together, these factors have strengthened the entire weather system, which is why torrential rain could lash several parts of the country today.
Clouds to hover over Delhi NCR, with sharp spells in places
Tuesday could bring both relief and difficulty for people in Delhi NCR. The weather office expects clouds to cover the sky through the day, with intermittent rain in many areas and heavy spells possible in a few pockets. New Delhi, south Delhi, Dwarka, Rohini and Shahdara, along with Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad, are likely to see good rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning. Temperatures are not expected to change much, but the rain should ease the humidity. Low lying areas may still see waterlogging, and traffic jams could worsen during the morning and evening rush hours. Rain is also expected to continue in Maharashtra today.
Eastern UP set for a soaking, western districts not spared either
Uttar Pradesh could see the monsoon at its strongest today. A heavy rain alert has been issued specifically for eastern Uttar Pradesh, with districts such as Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ballia, Deoria, Kushinagar, Azamgarh, Mau and Prayagraj facing the risk of intense rain along with lightning strikes. Western Uttar Pradesh will not stay dry either, districts including Meerut, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly, Aligarh, Agra, Mathura and Noida could see rain with thunder and lightning. Farmers working in fields and people in open areas have been advised to take extra precautions during this spell.
Weather turns into a hurdle on the Char Dham Yatra routes
Conditions remain sensitive in Uttarakhand because of continuous rainfall. Heavy rain is expected in Dehradun, Nainital, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. This raises the risk of landslides, falling rocks and blocked roads along the Char Dham Yatra routes. Water levels in rivers and seasonal streams could rise quickly, and the administration has asked pilgrims to check weather updates before setting out on their journey.
Monsoon fully active in Bihar
The monsoon has become fully active over Bihar. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely in several districts, including Patna, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Purnia, Katihar, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga. Continuous rain raises the risk of waterlogging in low lying areas and small rivers swelling beyond their banks. The weather department has also warned of lightning strikes and urged people to stay indoors during bad weather.
Jharkhand braces for heavy rain and strong winds
The depression sitting over Jharkhand could bring intense rain to most parts of the state. Heavy rainfall is likely in districts such as Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Deoghar and Dumka. Winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour could accompany the rain. Given the risk of lightning, farmers and residents of rural areas have been advised to stay extra alert.
Flood like conditions possible in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
The depression is expected to have its strongest impact on Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. A heavy to very heavy rain alert is in force for several districts in both states, and extremely heavy rain in some places could create flood like conditions. Torrential rain is also likely in the Vidarbha region, and authorities have directed people living in low lying areas to remain alert.
Coastal Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa face another bout of destructive rain
Western India, including the Konkan coast, Goa, Gujarat and central Maharashtra, could see destructive rain continue today. A heavy to extremely heavy rain warning is in place for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and the ghat areas around Pune. Parts of south Gujarat and Saurashtra could also see daily life disrupted by intense rain, with rising river levels and waterlogging expected in low lying stretches.
Northeast and South India also set for heavy downpours
Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura could see heavy rain continue over the next 24 hours. Very heavy rain in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam raises the risk of landslides and flooding. In South India, Kerala, coastal Karnataka, interior Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to receive good rainfall. Some parts of coastal Karnataka could see extremely heavy rain along with winds gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour.
Rough seas in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, fishermen told to stay ashore
The India Meteorological Department has also warned that the sea will remain extremely rough in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Winds of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour could blow along the coasts of Gujarat, Konkan, Odisha and West Bengal. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea under these conditions. The weather department has appealed to the public at large to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather and to stay in safe locations.
