IMD Alert: Monsoon Roars Back with Warning of Extreme Rainfall in Eastern and Central India

Weather Alert: Depression in Bay of Bengal to Intensify, Widespread Rainfall Forecasted

A weather depression, currently centered over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Odisha-West Bengal coasts, is set to intensify into a deep depression within the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports.

After a prolonged lull, the southwest monsoon has regained momentum, with the IMD forecasting widespread rainfall over large parts of eastern, central, and northwestern India in the coming days.

The depression is expected to move northwestwards and intensify, crossing the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island on Monday forenoon or noon. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Gangetic West Bengal are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall predicted for Odisha on July 26 and 27.

Chhattisgarh is also expected to witness heavy rainfall on July 27, while Gangetic West Bengal may see isolated very heavy rainfall on the same day.

The IMD has forecasted an active spell of rain across several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Konkan and Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, and northeastern states between July 26 and August 1.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected in various parts of the country, with squally winds anticipated over the Bay of Bengal and rough to very rough sea conditions.

An "intense rain" warning has been issued till July 30 for Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and eastern and western parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. More than 10 states are expected to witness heavy rainfall as the monsoon becomes active again.

During the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on July 26, Jagatsinghpur in Odisha recorded 330 mm of rainfall, with very heavy rain also reported in parts of Chhattisgarh, Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat Region, and Coastal Karnataka, according to the IMD.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the northwest Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha, West Bengal, and north Andhra Pradesh coasts until July 29. Local administrations have also ordered schools to remain closed in Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj districts on Monday.