By The IMD has warned residents of West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar and Odisha of an active spell of heavy rainfall running through September 23.
Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are forecast to see very heavy rainfall, while Bihar and Odisha face heavy rain through September 18.
Chhattisgarh is expected to see heavy rainfall between September 20 and 23, while Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab brace for thunderstorms.
Widespread rain is also forecast for east Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Konkan and Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Strong winds of up to 60 kmph are expected across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh as the southwest monsoon withdraws.
Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also forecast to see widespread rainfall during the period.
Gusty winds of 30-50 kmph are expected over Gujarat, Konkan and Goa, Saurashtra and Kutch, and Madhya Maharashtra.
Stronger gusts of 40-60 kmph have been forecast for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Rayalaseema.
The IMD’s bulletin covers the period from September 17 to 23, describing active weather conditions across multiple zones as the southwest monsoon enters its withdrawal phase.
The monsoon’s withdrawal is expected to begin from parts of northwest India in the coming days, even as active rainfall continues in the eastern and southern regions.
Isolated heavy rainfall was recorded over East Rajasthan on September 17-18, alongside the wider spell of rain affecting northern and eastern states.
Residents in affected states have been advised to stay updated with local IMD bulletins and avoid non-essential travel during periods of heavy rainfall or strong winds.
The India Meteorological Department typically issues color-coded alerts (yellow, orange and red) as conditions intensify, urging precautionary measures in the most severely affected districts.
Heavy rainfall is also forecast for Bihar and Odisha through September 18, with Chhattisgarh expected to see heavy rain between September 20 and 23.
Monsoon clouds over a city (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
