The southwest monsoon is set to advance further across India in the coming days, delivering widespread rainfall to various parts of the country, even as heatwave conditions persist in sections of northwest and central India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) released its latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin on Monday, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Karnataka, heavy rain across much of southern and northeastern India, and thunderstorms with strong winds in several states.
The IMD reports that the northern limit of the southwest monsoon currently stretches through parts of the Arabian Sea, moving through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and northeastern India. Meteorologists have indicated favorable conditions for the monsoon to expand into more areas of the central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and the remaining northeastern states over the next three to four days.
The forecast suggests particularly intense rainfall activity along the west coast and adjacent interior regions of peninsular India. Coastal Karnataka is expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall from June 8 to June 10. North Interior Karnataka is also likely to see extremely heavy rainfall on June 10, while South Interior Karnataka could receive similar rainfall on June 9 and 10. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated across large parts of Karnataka throughout the week.
Kerala and Mahe are expected to face a prolonged period of wet weather, with heavy rainfall forecast from June 10 to June 13 and very heavy rainfall anticipated during the initial phase. Konkan and Goa are likely to receive heavy rainfall from June 8 to June 11, while Madhya Maharashtra could see heavy rainfall on June 8 and 9.
In southern India, heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal between June 8 and June 11. Rainfall activity is expected to remain extensive over Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and several parts of interior Karnataka throughout the forecast period as the monsoon strengthens its grip on the region.
The northeastern states are projected to be among the wettest in the country this week, with widespread rainfall expected across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from June 8 to June 13. The IMD forecasts heavy rainfall in the region on June 8 and very heavy rainfall from June 9 onwards. Given the persistent rainfall, authorities are likely to monitor vulnerable areas closely for potential flooding and landslides.
In eastern India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to see widespread rainfall throughout the week, with heavy rainfall forecast from June 9 to June 13 and very heavy rainfall possible on June 8. Bihar is also anticipated to receive heavy rainfall between June 10 and June 11. Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal are likely to experience intermittent rain and thunderstorms during the forecast period.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to be influenced by active weather conditions, with widespread rainfall throughout the week and heavy rainfall likely between June 9 and June 11. Strong winds and thundersquall activity are also anticipated over the islands.
In addition to rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected to affect several regions of the country. Wind speeds of 40 to 50 km/h, gusting up to 60 km/h, are likely over parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu on various days during the forecast period. Thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50 to 60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h, are expected over Odisha and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on June 8, Gangetic West Bengal on June 10, and Bihar and Jharkhand between June 10 and June 12.
While much of India prepares for increased rainfall, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in several northern and central states. The IMD has warned that isolated areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and West Rajasthan are likely to experience heatwave conditions between June 8 and June 11. Heatwave conditions are also expected over East and West Uttar Pradesh from June 9 onwards and over East and West Madhya Pradesh between June 10 and June 11. Himachal Pradesh may also face heatwave conditions on June 9 and 10, while Coastal Andhra Pradesh is expected to remain under heatwave conditions on June 8.
Recent weather observations indicate intensified rainfall activity in several regions. During the 24-hour period ending Monday morning, rainfall occurred at most places over Gangetic West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Kerala and Mahe. Rainfall was also reported from large parts of Odisha, Northeast India, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep.
Among the notable rainfall figures recorded during this period, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya received 8 cm of rain, while North Lakhimpur in Assam recorded 7 cm. The highest maximum temperature in the country was recorded at Brahmapuri in Maharashtra, where temperatures reached 45.2 degrees Celsius. Heatwave conditions were also observed in isolated pockets of Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The IMD has cautioned that heavy and extremely heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in urban areas, traffic congestion, reduced visibility, and temporary disruptions in transport services. Hilly regions may face an increased risk of landslides and mudslides, while standing crops and vulnerable structures could suffer damage due to heavy rain and strong winds.
Source: The Times of India
