IMD WARNINGS: HEAVY RAINS ACROSS SOUTH, NORTHEAST & EAST INDIA
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy to very heavy rainfall across several regions of the country due to an active monsoon trough and lingering cyclonic circulations — with widespread rain expected over Northeast, East and Central India, and scattered showers in Northwest, West and South Peninsular India. Very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are predicted in many states; these conditions are expected to persist through September 14 (per the latest bulletin reported by The Times of India).
What the IMD actually forecast
The IMD is pointing to an active monsoon trough and leftover cyclonic circulations that are keeping the weather lively. Practically, that translates into:
- Widespread rainfall across Northeast, East and Central India — i.e., many places in these regions will have rain, not just isolated showers.
- Scattered to isolated showers in Northwest India, West India and the South Peninsular region — so these areas will be wetter than normal in spots, but not uniformly soaked.
- Very heavy rain (isolated places) for Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim — a red flag for flash floods and landslips in hilly terrain.
- Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds predicted for many states including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and northeastern states — meaning both flood and wind damage are possible.
Regions & timings to watch (who needs to be most alert)
IMD’s advisory specifically calls out these risk zones and short timeframes (read: pay attention now):
- Immediate high alert (next 48–72 hours): Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim (very heavy rain at isolated places).
- Broad risk window (next 3–5 days): Northeast India (Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura), East India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal) and Central India (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh) — widespread to fairly heavy rain expected.
- Additional watches: Parts of peninsular south (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Telangana, Karnataka), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and interior regions of Maharashtra and Gujarat may see isolated heavy spells, thunderstorms and gusty winds
FAQs
Q1: Which states are most at risk from the IMD warning right now?
A1: The IMD flags Northeast India, East India and Central India for widespread rains, with very heavy rainfall possible in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim; other states across peninsular and west India may see isolated heavy spells, thunderstorms and gusty winds. These conditions are expected to persist through September 14 per the latest bulletin.
Q2: How should I prepare if I live in a low-lying urban area?
A2: Elevate valuables, clear external drains where safe to do so, keep a 2–3 day supply of water and nonperishable food, charge power banks, and have emergency contacts (local disaster control, police, ambulance) at hand. Avoid driving through flooded roads.
Q3: Are flights and trains likely to be cancelled?
A3: Some services may be delayed or rescheduled due to poor visibility, crosswinds or waterlogging at approach/runway areas. Train and road travel can be slowed by water on tracks or landslides in hilly areas. Always confirm with your carrier or rail enquiry system before leaving.
Q4: What should farmers do to protect crops during such heavy rains?
A4: For standing crops, prioritize drainage, harvest early if near maturity, protect seedbeds and monitor for lodging (fallen crops). Contact local agricultural extension services for targeted advice; cooperative societies often help arrange equipment or logistics.
Q5: How does this event relate to climate change? Are such warnings becoming more frequent?
A5: Scientists report that warming increases the atmosphere’s moisture capacity, making intense short-duration rainfall events more likely even if total seasonal rain doesn’t rise uniformly. This means heavier, flashier storms are increasingly common — hence the need for resilient infrastructure and adaptive planning.
