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Monsoon has once again become active with full force across the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a big alert regarding the weather and warned that this spell of rain is not going to stop for the next seven days. Torrential rains, thunderstorms and lightning have been predicted in more than 20 states from North India to Central and Northeast India. According to meteorologists, due to the effect of the Monsoon Trough and the low pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal, there is excessive moisture in the atmosphere, due to which heavy rains are going to occur in the next one week from the plains to the hilly states.

The coming days are expected to be extremely challenging, especially for the two hill states—Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—where red and orange alerts have been issued for extremely heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods.

Non-stop rain for the next 7 days: IMD issues widespread alert in over 20 states

According to the latest bulletin from the Meteorological Department, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall will be recorded throughout the next week in the northwest, central, eastern, and northeastern parts of the country. The monsoon trough remains in its normal position, and southeasterly winds are continuously bringing moisture to the plains. The more than 20 states for which the alert has been issued include Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

Weather experts say that while the continuous rain will bring down the temperature and provide relief to people from the heat, on the other hand it may cause problems like waterlogging in low-lying areas, increase in the water level of rivers and disruption of traffic.

The biggest threat looms over the mountains: Red and Orange alerts for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

The two states for which the Meteorological Department has issued the most severe warning are Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. These two hill states are likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall and cloudbursts at isolated locations over the next seven days.

Situation in Uttarakhand: The risk of landslides and mountain debris has increased significantly in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Dehradun, and Nainital districts. The Alaknanda, Mandakini, Bhagirathi, and Ganga rivers are in spate. Pilgrims embarking on the Char Dham Yatra have been advised to assess the weather before embarking.

Disaster in Himachal Pradesh: An alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall has been issued in Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Kangra, and Sirmaur districts. The Beas and Sutlej rivers could reach the danger mark. Due to the risk of landslides on mountain roads, local authorities have advised tourists to stay away from rivers and streams and avoid unnecessary travel.

Weather in Delhi-NCR and UP-Bihar: Waterlogging and heavy showers in the plains

The national capital, Delhi, and its adjoining NCR areas (Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad) will experience cloudy skies for the next seven days, with intermittent light to moderate rain. Heavy showers accompanied by strong thunderstorms are possible at some locations. The rain will bring down temperatures in Delhi. However, waterlogging and traffic jams are expected in low-lying areas such as Minto Road, ITO, and Dhaula Kuan.

Talking about the weather of Uttar Pradesh, the monsoon will be kind to both Purvanchal (Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Deoria) and Paschimanchal (Meerut, Moradabad, Bareilly, Agra) for the next seven days. Torrential rains are expected in most of the districts along with lightning and strong winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. Due to the activation of the monsoon trough in Bihar and Jharkhand, there will be rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in the northern and eastern districts. There is a threat of flood in the Terai areas of Bihar due to the overflowing of rivers like Kosi, Gandak and Bagmati.

The fierce form of monsoon will also be seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Weather activities are also likely to remain quite intense in the states of Central India and Western India during the next seven days.

Rajasthan: A heavy rain alert has been issued for the Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, and Bharatpur divisions of eastern Rajasthan. Light to moderate rain will also be observed in districts of western Rajasthan.

Madhya Pradesh: A new spell of rain is beginning in most parts of the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. Rivers and streams may overflow in the Malwa and Nimar regions.

Maharashtra and Konkan region: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds is expected along the coastline of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Ratnagiri over the next few days. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea.

Administration on alert: Disaster management and safety guidelines for citizens

In view of this seven-day-long spell of rain, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed on alert in vulnerable and flood-prone districts. The respective state governments and district administrations have set up control rooms to immediately initiate relief and rescue operations in case of any emergency.

The Meteorological Department and Disaster Management Authority have issued important safety instructions for common citizens, travelers and farmers:

Lightning Protection: Avoid standing in open fields, under tall trees, or iron poles during rain and thunder. Seek shelter in a sturdy building.

Check route before travelling: Travellers travelling to hilly areas should leave home only after checking the local weather forecast and road conditions.

Avoid waterlogged roads: Don’t risk crossing flooded underpasses and overflowing storm drains.

Advice for farmers: Make proper arrangements for drainage in the fields so that standing crops are not damaged due to waterlogging.

According to this seven-day weather alert, the coming week will bring rain and moisture to much of the country. With vigilance and accurate information, the impact of this weather disaster can be mitigated.