Extreme Rainfall Predicted for Uttarakhand, Heavy Showers Across India’s Northern Region
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast indicating isolated and extremely heavy rainfall expected over Uttarakhand in the next 48 hours. However, the intensity of rainfall is projected to decrease thereafter. Moreover, regions including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall over the next two days. The northeastern parts of India are also anticipated to witness continuous heavy rainfall over the next five days.
Additionally, IMD predicts an escalation in rainfall activity over East and Central India starting from August 16th, 2023.
Current Weather Highlights
Over the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been observed in several areas. Notably, Assam & Meghalaya experienced extremely heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in certain places. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, East Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu also reported heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
Key Weather Features
- The Monsoon Trough is currently positioned to the north of its normal location. It is expected to persist northward or along the foothills of the Himalayas for the next 4-5 days before gradually shifting southwards.
- A cyclonic circulation prevails over East Bangladesh and its neighboring areas, with an associated trough extending roughly from Longitude 90°E to Latitude 20°N in the lower tropospheric levels.
- The Western Disturbance is identified as a trough within the middle tropospheric westerlies. Its axis, situated at an altitude of 5.8 km above sea level, runs approximately along Longitude 75°E and Latitude 32°N.
Region-specific Weather Forecast
- Northwest India: Moderate to widespread rainfall is anticipated across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh on August 13th and 14th. Additionally, extremely heavy falls are likely in Uttarakhand during the same period.
- East India: Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim can expect isolated heavy rainfall from August 13th to 15th. Bihar is likely to experience heavy rainfall on August 13th, while Gangetic West Bengal will observe heavy rainfall on August 16th and 17th. Odisha and Jharkhand are likely to experience heavy rainfall between August 15th and 17th. Heavy rainfall is also expected over the Andaman & Nicobar Islands from August 14th to 16th.
- Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will witness widespread to fairly widespread rainfall from August 13th to 17th. Extremely heavy falls are anticipated in Assam and Meghalaya on August 13th.
- Central, West & South India: East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are expected to experience isolated heavy rainfall on August 16th and 17th. The remaining areas of these regions are likely to witness subdued rainfall over the next week.
