The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across large parts of north, central, east and Northeast India on Sunday, with Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and several northeastern states among the regions likely to receive intense showers.
The widespread rainfall is being driven by an active monsoon system, including a low-pressure area over northwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining southwest Uttar Pradesh. The associated circulation extends into the upper levels of the atmosphere, helping sustain rainfall over northern and central parts of the country.
North India braces for rain
Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Delhi, Haryana and Punjab on Sunday. Both East and West Uttar Pradesh are also under heavy-rain warnings, while Uttarakhand is expected to remain wet amid an extended spell of rainfall over the Himalayan state.
Delhi and adjoining areas have already witnessed substantial rainfall. Palam recorded 8 cm of rain during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am Saturday, while showers caused waterlogging in parts of the Capital. The IMD's latest subdivision-wise warning continues to place Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi under a heavy-rain warning for September 6.
East Rajasthan is also expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall, while thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are possible over parts of Rajasthan. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh could experience thunderstorms, lightning and winds reaching 30-40 kmph at isolated places.
Central, eastern states on alert
Madhya Pradesh is likely to remain among the major rain-affected regions, with heavy rainfall forecast over both its eastern and western parts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also possible at isolated places.
In eastern India, Bihar is likely to receive heavy rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to witness heavy showers, accompanied at places by thunderstorms and winds reaching 30-40 kmph.
The Northeast is set for another wet day, with heavy rainfall forecast over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya as well as Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely across several parts of the region. The IMD's warning for Assam and Meghalaya indicates that the spell of heavy rain could continue through much of the coming week.
Thunderstorm warning issued
Apart from heavy rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds have been forecast over several regions, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Sikkim, and parts of the Northeast. Similar conditions are possible over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and interior Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal could witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, along with strong surface winds. Squally weather, with winds of 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph, is also expected over parts of the Arabian Sea.
The IMD has advised people in affected regions to remain alert to local weather warnings, particularly in areas vulnerable to waterlogging, flash floods and landslides as the monsoon spell continues.