New Delhi, 13 August: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday cautioned that the southwest monsoon will become markedly active on Friday, 14 August, as a depression over coastal West Bengal moves inland and strengthens rainfall across a wide swathe of the country.
Depression to push widespread heavy rain inland
The low-pressure system was located roughly 20 km south-southeast of Kolkata at 11:30 am on Thursday, and the IMD said it is expected to proceed west-northwestwards, moving over Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. Forecasters warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over central and eastern India, with isolated extremely heavy showers possible.
Chhattisgarh faces the highest threat on Friday, where very heavy rain and pockets of extremely heavy precipitation are forecast. Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha are also likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations as the system affects moisture transport and large-scale convection.
North India, Delhi-NCR also under advisories
The IMD's forecast extends beyond the east and centre. Several northern states and the national capital region are likely to see heavy rain at isolated places on Friday. The areas listed include Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and parts of eastern Rajasthan. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may receive isolated very heavy downpours, and the western Himalayan belt is expected to continue seeing fairly widespread to widespread rainfall in the coming days.
Recent intense rainfall and observed values
The system has already produced intense localised rain. In the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am on Thursday, the IMD reported that Bhograi in Odisha recorded 24 cm of rain, while Durgachack in West Bengal also received 24 cm. Such high short-duration totals are consistent with monsoon depressions that draw copious moisture from the Bay of Bengal and concentrate it over land as they move westward.
| Location | Observed/Forecast detail |
|---|---|
| Bhograi (Odisha) | 24 cm in 24 hours (ending 8:30 am, 13 Aug) |
| Durgachack (West Bengal) | 24 cm in 24 hours (ending 8:30 am, 13 Aug) |
| Chhattisgarh | Heavy to very heavy rain; isolated extremely heavy |
What a depression means for the monsoon
Monsoon depressions are organised low-pressure systems that typically develop over the Bay of Bengal and move inland across eastern India. They act as moisture conveyors, bringing sustained, often intense rainfall over broad areas. The IMD said the present depression will continue to influence rainfall distribution as it progresses inland, enhancing convective activity and the probability of localised very heavy events.
- Regions to watch: Central and eastern India (particularly Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha).
- North and northwest: Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and parts of the western Himalaya may see isolated heavy to very heavy rain.
- Impacts: Possible urban flooding, road and rail disruption, landslides in hilly terrain and agricultural losses in low-lying areas.
The IMD forecast underscores the importance of local preparedness. State disaster response agencies routinely issue advisories, and municipal bodies in urban centres typically manage drainage and traffic plans during spells of heavy rain. Farmers are advised to take precautions for crops sensitive to waterlogging.
Forecasters also noted that while a depression raises the likelihood of intense rain in its immediate path, weather outcomes can vary locally depending on topography and mesoscale processes. The IMD will continue to monitor the system and update warnings as the depression evolves.
Authorities and commuters in the affected states should keep track of IMD bulletins and local administration advisories over the next 48 hours.
