Monsoon to Intensify Across Northwest India; IMD Forecasts Heavy Rain in Several States

New Delhi, Jul 16: Monsoon activity is expected to intensify across Northwest India over the coming week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread rainfall and isolated heavy to very heavy showers in several states, including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh. According to the IMD’s latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, rainfall over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi is likely to remain isolated to scattered from July 16 to 20, before becoming fairly widespread to widespread on July 21. The department has also predicted isolated heavy rainfall across the region on July 20 and 21. In Punjab, isolated to scattered rainfall is expected between July 16 and 19, with rainfall becoming widespread during July 20-21. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places during the same period. SouthAsians & Diaspora The IMD said Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness scattered rainfall during July 16-17, followed by widespread rainfall from July 18 to 22. Uttarakhand is expected to receive scattered rainfall on July 16, with rainfall activity increasing from July 17 to 21. Heavy rainfall has been forecast over Uttarakhand during July 16-19 and Himachal Pradesh during July 18-19, while very heavy rainfall is likely in both hill states on July 20 and 21. For Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, the weather department has predicted isolated to scattered rainfall during July 16-17, becoming widespread from July 18 to 22. The region is also expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, during the forecast period. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places between July 19 and 21. In Uttar Pradesh, rainfall is expected to intensify gradually, with widespread showers likely over East Uttar Pradesh from July 18-21 and West Uttar Pradesh from July 19-21. Heavy rainfall is forecast over East Uttar Pradesh during July 17-21 and West Uttar Pradesh during July 19-21. The IMD also predicted continued active monsoon conditions across Central and Eastern India. Heavy rainfall is likely over East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim over the next several days, with isolated very heavy rainfall expected in parts of Bihar, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim. SouthAsians & Diaspora The weather department has advised people to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings, as heavy rainfall may lead to waterlogging, localized flooding and disruption of transport in vulnerable areas.