IMD alert: Several states face heavy showers and flooding risk

New Delhi: Several parts of India are likely to remain under the influence of active monsoon systems on Saturday, September 12, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across parts of the east, central, northeast, west and southern regions.

A low-pressure area over the northwest-westcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts is expected to move west-northwestwards across north Coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha during the next 24 hours.

The weather system, combined with the monsoon trough and other atmospheric circulations, is expected to keep rainfall activity high across several states.

The IMD has also warned that heavy rainfall can lead to localised waterlogging, inundation and flooding in low-lying areas, besides affecting road and rail traffic, visibility and vulnerable structures.

East, central India face major rain activity

Odisha is among the states to watch on September 12. The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over the state, with isolated heavy rainfall likely.

Odisha had already recorded very heavy rainfall in the preceding 24 hours, and the weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to keep conditions unsettled.

Chhattisgarh is also likely to receive widespread rain, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast on September 12.

In Madhya Pradesh, rainfall is expected to remain active, particularly across East and West Madhya Pradesh.

Isolated heavy rainfall is forecast over both regions on September 12, while West Madhya Pradesh is expected to see another spell of very heavy rainfall on September 13-14.

Vidarbha is also likely to receive isolated heavy rain on September 12, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

Across eastern India, West Bengal and Sikkim remain vulnerable to heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to receive heavy rainfall, while Gangetic West Bengal could see thunderstorms and lightning.

Jharkhand is expected to see isolated to scattered rainfall, with thunderstorms and gusty winds possible.

Bihar will continue to receive scattered rainfall, although its heavier spell is mainly highlighted for September 11 and later in the forecast period.

South, west and northeast also on rain watch

In the northeast, Assam and Meghalaya are likely to see fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on September 12, with isolated heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Arunachal Pradesh is also expected to remain wet, with widespread rainfall continuing through the coming days.

Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are likely to see widespread rainfall, although their more intense spell is forecast mainly during the following days.

In western India, Maharashtra will see mixed but active conditions.

Konkan and Goa are likely to receive widespread rainfall, while isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Konkan and Goa and Marathwada.

Madhya Maharashtra is also under a heavy-rain watch for September 12, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall emerging on September 13.

Gujarat is expected to see increasing rainfall activity, with heavy rain forecast in the Gujarat region on September 12. Saurashtra and Kutch may also receive rain and thunderstorms.

South:

In southern India, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are among the key areas to watch.

The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall on September 12, along with isolated heavy rainfall. Thundersqualls with winds reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph are also possible.

Telangana is likely to receive widespread rainfall and isolated heavy rain on September 12.

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may see isolated to scattered rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, although the IMD's next major heavy-rain spell for the region is indicated for September 15.

Kerala and Mahe, meanwhile, remain under a rainfall watch, with isolated to scattered rain expected. Hot and humid conditions may also persist in Kerala.

Karnataka, including Coastal, North Interior and South Interior Karnataka, is likely to see varying spells of rain, with no widespread heavy-rain warning specifically highlighted for September 12.

Rayalaseema may also receive isolated rain. Lakshadweep is expected to remain broadly wet through the period.

In north India, Uttarakhand remains the principal concern, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms forecast on September 12. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience thunderstorms and lightning.

Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are expected to see varying degrees of rainfall activity, but no heavy-rain warning is issued for most of these areas for September 12. East Rajasthan, however, may see thunderstorms and lightning.

Delhi-NCR is forecast to remain generally cloudy, with one or two spells of light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning from early morning to forenoon, followed by another spell of light rain during the afternoon to evening. Temperatures are expected to remain around 30-32°C.

Overall, the biggest weather concerns for September 12 are heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and localised waterlogging or flooding in vulnerable low-lying areas, particularly where intense rainfall occurs.

The IMD cautions that heavy rain could disrupt road and rail traffic and trigger localised inundation, while lightning and strong winds could pose additional risks.

People in affected areas are advised to monitor official warnings, avoid water bodies during lightning, and take shelter in safe structures rather than under trees.