SHIMLA/DEHRADUN/LEH: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab and Haryana are set for another spell of widespread rain over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas.
Shimla city has been witnessing spells of rain since morning on Tuesday, adding to the wet conditions across the state.
The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Himachal Pradesh from August 18 to 22, followed by isolated to scattered rain on August 23 and 24. Isolated very heavy rainfall is likely over Himachal Pradesh on August 18, while heavy rain is expected at isolated places from August 19 to 21.
Uttarakhand is likely to remain particularly vulnerable, with widespread rainfall forecast from August 18 to 24. Isolated heavy rain is expected during August 20-24, while very heavy rainfall is likely on August 18 and 19. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely at isolated places during the period.
The wet spell will also continue across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, where fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast from August 18 to 23. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely from August 18 to 21, followed by scattered rain on August 24.
Punjab is expected to receive widespread rain on August 19, with isolated heavy rainfall likely on August 18 and 19. Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi may also see widespread rainfall on August 19 and again on August 22, with isolated heavy rain on August 18-19.
The IMD has also warned of extremely heavy rainfall over southeast Uttar Pradesh on August 18 and 19, highlighting the potential for intense downpours in the region.
Uttarakhand records 27 cm rain
The intensity of the current monsoon spell was evident in the past 24 hours. Narendra Nagar in Uttarakhand recorded 27 cm of rainfall, the highest among the listed stations. Kothi in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district received 7 cm.
Extremely heavy rainfall of 21 cm or more was recorded over Uttarakhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha, while very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm was recorded over Chhattisgarh, Assam and Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Weather systems driving the rain
According to the IMD, the western end of the monsoon trough is currently north of its normal position, while its eastern end remains near normal.
A depression that was over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coast has moved west-northwestwards and was lying over Jharkhand and adjoining northern Gangetic West Bengal at 8.30 am Tuesday.
It is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards across Jharkhand and Bihar and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area during the next 24 hours.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation over Punjab and adjoining areas, along with another circulation over north Haryana, is also influencing weather conditions over northwest India.
With rain expected to persist, authorities and residents in vulnerable hill areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will need to remain alert for landslides, rockfalls, waterlogging and sudden rises in streams and rivers, particularly during intense spells.
The IMD forecast indicates that the monsoon remains active over the western Himalayan region, with Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand likely to remain under a sustained wet spell through the coming week.
