The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning across several parts of the country on July 18 as the southwest monsoon has become active again. According to the IMD, weather conditions may change rapidly over the next 24 hours in 15 states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, with wind speeds expected to reach 60 to 70 kmph in several areas.
According to weather experts, an active low-pressure area over northern and eastern India, along with an upper-air cyclonic circulation, is driving the widespread weather activity. The system may bring heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning and, at some locations, hail.
The IMD has issued alerts for heavy rainfall and b winds in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Eastern states, including West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha, are expected to receive very heavy rainfall. Waterlogging, localised flooding and disruption to transportation are likely in these areas.
The IMD has forecast relief from prolonged heat and humidity in Delhi and adjoining areas. Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by b winds is expected on July 18 and 19, with wind speeds reaching 60 to 65 kmph. The weather department has forecast a maximum temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius in Delhi. Temperatures may decline after the rainfall.
Widespread rainfall is expected across western, central and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Heavy rain and winds of up to 70 kmph are forecast for Meerut, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Agra and adjoining districts. In Bihar, heavy rainfall has been forecast for Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Purnia, Vaishali, Samastipur and several other districts. People have been advised to avoid open fields and sheltering under trees due to the risk of lightning.
Continuous rainfall is expected to increase the risk of landslides, road blockages and rising river levels in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities have been instructed to remain alert in areas including Dehradun, Nainital, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla. People travelling on hilly routes have been advised to check the latest weather information before undertaking their journey.
