Climate

IMD Forecasts Week-Long Monsoon Spell Across India, Warns of Flood Risk in July

Heavy rain to lash central, northern and eastern India amid river basins on alert

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Traffic during monsoon season Photo by Denniz Futalan
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on July 1 that heavy to very rainfall will drench the country over the next six to seven days, which could increase flood risk in Central and Northern India, reported ET.

The met department also expects that the monsoon will remain active in most parts of the northwest, central and eastern India through this week. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are likely to experience heavy rainfall.

In central India, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh.

The rainfall is also expected to intensify over Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand. Few regions in Odisha and Jharkhand may also receive intermittent spells of heavy rain during this period, reported ET.

“East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, parts of Vidarbha, and Telangana are likely to receive above normal rainfall activity. We should take care of the river catchments. Major river basins like Krishna, Godavari, and Mahanadi will be impacted. Very high rainfall is expected in the upper Mahanadi catchment covering Chhattisgarh and parts of Odisha, and the lower Mahanadi catchment. We should keep watch and monitor rainfall activity,” Mrutunjay Mohapatra, Director-General, India Meteorological Department (IMD), said at a press briefing on July 1.

Mohapatra also underscored the importance of preparedness in the northern hill states and adjoining plains. He added that good rainfall is also expected in Uttarakhand and Haryana. "This region includes several cities and towns, including Delhi. Many south-flowing rivers originate in Uttarakhand. We must take precautions for all these river catchments, cities and towns," Mohapatra said.

The met department has retained its forecast of monsoon (June-September) being 6% above normal.

According to ET, IMD also warned about the possibility of weaker monsoon activity in several areas of Eastern India, Northeastern states and the extreme southern tip of the peninsula.

(With inputs from PTI.)

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