New Delhi: Large swathes of eastern and central India are bracing for heavy to extremely heavy downpours over the coming days, driven by a well-marked low-pressure system positioned over Gangetic West Bengal, adjoining north coastal Odisha, and the northwest Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday.

The weather system is set to trigger widespread precipitation, accompanied by severe weather warnings across multiple states and dangerous sea conditions along the eastern coastline.

State-wise weather outlook

  • Odisha & Chhattisgarh: Both states face the highest alert for Monday, August 31, with widespread light to moderate showers alongside isolated extremely heavy rainfall. Heavy to very heavy downpours will persist into September 1, with isolated heavy rains continuing in Odisha through September 3 and in Chhattisgarh until September 4.

  • East Madhya Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across isolated pockets from August 31 through September 3, with isolated heavy showers continuing through September 6.

  • East Uttar Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected on August 31, followed by sustained isolated heavy spells through September 6.

  • Gangetic West Bengal: Most areas will see light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy downpours expected on August 31 and September 1.

  • Jharkhand & Bihar: Light to moderate precipitation will cover most regions. Isolated heavy rain is forecast for Jharkhand from August 31 to September 2, while Bihar is set to receive isolated heavy spells over the same three-day period.

Coastal & maritime advisories

Alongside landbound rainfall warnings, the IMD has issued a severe wind and maritime alert for the eastern seaboard:

  • Squally Winds: Wind speeds of 45–55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h, are projected over the North Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh coasts over the next 24 hours.

  • Sea Conditions: Maritime conditions across the North Bay of Bengal are expected to remain rough to very rough.

  • Fishermen Warning: Fishermen have been explicitly advised to avoid venturing into the North Bay of Bengal and coastal waters off Odisha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh during the next 24-hour period. (ANI)