New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that eastern and northeastern parts of India are likely to continue experiencing intense rainfall after heavy showers affected Meghalaya on July 12.
According to the latest IMD advisory, Northeast India, West Bengal and Bihar are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two to three days. East Uttar Pradesh may also witness isolated heavy rainfall over the coming four to five days.
The IMD categorises heavy rainfall as 7 to 11 cm of rain in a 24-hour period, very heavy rainfall as 12 to 20 cm, and extremely heavy rainfall as 21 cm or more. Mawkyrwat in Meghalaya has already crossed the extremely heavy rainfall mark.
Several areas across the region have recorded significant rainfall. Bansgaon in Gorakhpur, East Uttar Pradesh, received 17 cm of rain during the same 24-hour period, while Siwan in Bihar recorded 8 cm and Pundibari in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal received 9 cm.
The weather conditions are being influenced by two major atmospheric systems. The monsoon trough, a long low-pressure zone responsible for transporting moisture across the country, has shifted north of its normal position in its eastern section, directing moisture towards eastern and northeastern states.
Additionally, cyclonic circulations over northeast Bihar, south Bangladesh and northeast Assam are contributing to the rainfall by drawing moisture from the Bay of Bengal and producing widespread showers.
The IMD has warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Assam and Meghalaya, including the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills and Cachar regions, until around midday on July 13. Authorities have also cautioned about possible landslides and mudslides in hilly areas of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.
Residents in plains areas may face waterlogging, blocked underpasses and travel disruptions. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph, reaching up to 60 kmph, are expected over Bengal and Bihar during the week.
Farmers in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh have been advised to drain agricultural fields growing rice, maize, vegetables and jute to prevent crop damage.
Meanwhile, northwest India, west-central India and the southern peninsula are expected to experience relatively limited rainfall activity over the next six to seven days.
