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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several parts of the country over the coming week as a depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a deep depression before making landfall along the Odisha-West Bengal coast. The weather system is likely to trigger intense rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds and rough sea conditions, prompting warnings for multiple states and advisories for fishermen and travellers.

According to the IMD's latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, the Depression, centred over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts on Sunday evening, is expected to move northwestwards, strengthen into a Deep Depression on the morning of July 27, and cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Chandbali and Canning around forenoon or noon. The weather agency said the system, along with a persistent low-pressure area over West Rajasthan and the active monsoon trough, is expected to enhance rainfall activity across large parts of the country during the next seven days.

Odisha remains under the highest level of concern, with IMD forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by isolated extremely heavy rainfall on July 26 and July 27. Chhattisgarh is also expected to witness extremely heavy rainfall on July 27. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Gangetic West Bengal, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, East Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the first half of the forecast period.



Across northwest India, rainfall activity is expected to intensify from July 28 onwards. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are likely to experience widespread rain, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast between July 28 and July 31. East Rajasthan is also expected to receive heavy rainfall, with very heavy spells possible between July 29 and July 31. Jammu and Kashmir is likely to receive heavy rainfall on multiple days, with isolated very heavy rainfall during July 29 and 30.

Central India will continue to experience active monsoon conditions. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is expected over Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh throughout the forecast period, while West Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha are also likely to receive significant rainfall. Heavy rainfall has been forecast for several days, with very heavy rainfall expected over parts of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh during the week.

In eastern India, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar are expected to remain under the influence of the weather system. Gangetic West Bengal is likely to witness very heavy rainfall during July 26 and 27, while Bihar and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are forecast to receive heavy rainfall later in the week.

Northeastern states are also expected to experience persistent monsoon activity. Assam and Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are likely to receive widespread rainfall, with heavy rainfall forecast over several days and isolated very heavy rainfall expected over Assam and Meghalaya around July 29.

Along the west coast, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat are likely to continue receiving active monsoon showers. Very heavy rainfall has been forecast over Konkan and Goa and Madhya Maharashtra during July 26 and 27, while Gujarat Region could receive very heavy rainfall towards the end of the forecast period.

The IMD has also issued a flash flood outlook for the next 24 hours, indicating a low to moderate flash flood risk over several districts of Odisha, parts of Gangetic West Bengal and parts of Jharkhand. Surface runoff and inundation may occur in low-lying areas where soils are already saturated due to continued rainfall.

The weather office has cautioned that heavy to extremely heavy rainfall could lead to urban flooding, waterlogging, reduced visibility, traffic disruptions, localized landslides, and damage to vulnerable structures. Residents are advised to check traffic conditions before travelling, avoid waterlogged areas and follow local advisories issued by authorities.