Today’s Weather: At least five people missing after cloudburst triggers flash floods in Maharashtra’s Nanded.
Also, after two cloudburst incidents in Kishtwar and Kathua, another cloudburst on Monday, August 18, triggered flashfloods at the forest area of North Kashmir’s Lolab region of Kupwara district.
The weather department has issued a flash flood warning and placed Jammu on high alert. Heavy rain lashed Poonch and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Yamuna River in Delhi once again crossed the danger mark on Monday following intermittent rain that lashed the National Capital Region (NCR). Authorities have issued fresh warnings and are closely monitoring embankments and low-lying areas, with evacuation plans in place.
New low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported the formation of a low-pressure area over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts. Formed early Sunday morning under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation, the system is expected to intensify into a depression within 24 hours. It is forecast to cross the south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coasts by August 19.
Heavy rain forecast for western and central India
The IMD has predicted widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall along India’s western and central belt. Goa, Maharashtra (including Mumbai), and Gujarat are expected to see particularly intense spells. “Extremely heavy rain is likely over Konkan (including Mumbai) and Goa, Ghat areas of central Maharashtra till August 19, Gujarat till August 20, and Saurashtra on August 19 and 20,” the IMD said, noting that rainfall activity is likely to peak on August 19.
Impact on central and eastern states
Heavy to very heavy rain is also forecast over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha in the coming days. The IMD warned of “isolated extremely heavy rain” over coastal Andhra Pradesh between August 17–18, and over Odisha and Telangana on August 18. Meanwhile, another low-pressure system that formed over Chhattisgarh on Saturday has moved into Vidarbha and adjoining areas, and is expected to weaken before reaching Gujarat on August 18.
The complex weather situation is being shaped by several overlapping systems. An upper air cyclonic circulation persists over the northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Gujarat-Konkan region, while another circulation sits over central Pakistan and Punjab. A trough line extends from the northeast Arabian Sea across Marathwada, Vidarbha, and south Chhattisgarh, tilting southward with height. Together, these systems are driving intense rainfall across western and central India.
Rainfall across North India
The Western Himalayas and adjoining foothills have already borne the brunt of heavy rainfall this monsoon, with Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh witnessing frequent downpours. Over the coming week, rainfall is likely in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
Since June 1, the overall monsoon rainfall across India has been normal. However, significant regional variations persist, with a 17% deficiency in the east and northeast, 14% excess over the northwest, and modest surpluses in central India and the southern peninsula.