What is the story about?
New Delhi: A depression over coastal West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh is set to intensify the monsoon across large parts of India, with the India Meteorological
Department (IMD) warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and isolated instances of extremely heavy rain over the next few days. The weather system, which developed from a low-pressure area over coastal West Bengal and the north Bay of Bengal, was centred over coastal West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh on Monday. It is expected to move inland towards the northwest, bringing intense rainfall to several states through the week.
Red Alert In Odisha, Jharkhand
The most severe weather on Tuesday, August 18, is likely over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of Odisha and Jharkhand, with isolated locations likely to record more than 20 cm of rainfall in 24 hours.
In West Bengal, Purba Medinipur, Jhargram and Bankura are likely to receive isolated extremely heavy rainfall.
In Odisha, Balasore and Keonjhar are among the areas at risk of extremely heavy rain, with rainfall totals potentially exceeding 20 cm at isolated locations.
Heavy Rain To Lash Central, North India
As the depression moves northwestward, heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected over Chhattisgarh, Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The weather system is likely to keep conditions unsettled beyond Tuesday. On August 19, red alert conditions are expected to continue in Jharkhand, while Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, eastern Madhya Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh are likely to remain under orange alert.
The rain belt is expected to gradually shift westward during the latter half of the week, bringing significant rainfall to Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Hills On Alert For Landslides, Flash Floods
The IMD has also placed Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand under an orange alert, warning of heavy rainfall that could trigger localised flooding, landslides and disruptions in hilly areas. Several northeastern states, including Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, are also expected to receive widespread rainfall.
The IMD has advised people in affected areas to remain cautious as intense rain could lead to waterlogging, flash floods, rising river levels and travel disruptions.
With the depression moving inland, authorities in vulnerable districts have been urged to closely monitor weather conditions, particularly in areas prone to flooding and landslides.
