The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in eight states on Monday, 31 August, as the southwest monsoon remains active over large parts of the country. The agency said central, eastern, northeastern and northern India will continue to receive enhanced rainfall through the first week of September.
States at highest risk
The IMD listed Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura as areas most likely to record heavy to very heavy downpours on Monday. It also flagged several other regions for heavy rain and squally conditions.
- Other states and areas expected to get heavy rain: Arunachal Pradesh; Assam and Meghalaya; Bihar; East Madhya Pradesh; East Uttar Pradesh; Himachal Pradesh; Jammu and Kashmir; Ladakh; Gilgit-Baltistan; Muzaffarabad; West Bengal; and Sikkim.
- Hazards forecast: thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over parts of eastern, central, northeastern and northern India.
Regional outlook and impact concerns
The IMD said rainfall activity is likely to become more widespread over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad between Sunday and Tuesday. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to remain wet during the coming days, increasing the risk of weather-related disruption in vulnerable locations.
Chhattisgarh and parts of Madhya Pradesh are expected to receive significant monsoon rainfall, contributing to sustained wet conditions across central India. The agency underlined that the combination of persistent monsoon moisture and favourable synoptic systems is driving active precipitation across these zones.
| Timeframe | Expected conditions |
|---|---|
| Monday, 31 August | Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in eight states; thunderstorms & gusty winds in several regions |
| Through first week of September | Continued periods of heavy rainfall in central, eastern, northeastern and northern India; widespread rainfall on west coast |
Safety advice and preparedness
The IMD warning should be treated as a watch for heightened rainfall activity; in areas specified for isolated heavy to very heavy rain, local administrations and residents should treat the situation as a potential warning for flash floods, waterlogging and landslips where terrain and drainage are vulnerable.
Practical precautions advised for those in affected regions include:
- Monitor local IMD bulletins and district administration alerts frequently.
- Avoid non-essential travel during heavy spells; expect delays due to waterlogged roads and reduced visibility.
- Do not stand under trees or open structures during thunderstorms; secure loose outdoor materials that can be picked up by gusty winds.
- People in hill and slope-prone districts should be vigilant for signs of landslides and mudslides and move to safer ground if instructed by authorities.
- Avoid crossing swollen streams and rivers; fishing and boating activities should be halted until conditions stabilise.
State disaster management authorities and field agencies in the said states are advised to keep relief resources and rescue teams on standby and to ensure that drainage channels and stormwater systems are cleared where feasible to reduce urban flooding risk.
What to expect next
The IMD forecast indicates that the west coast will also see widespread rainfall in the coming days as monsoon moisture continues to feed into the system. While rain is expected to be intermittent, the persistence of the active monsoon means repeated spells that could hamper agriculture operations in rain-affected districts and disrupt transport networks intermittently.
Residents and travellers should stay updated with successive IMD updates and follow guidance issued by local authorities. Those in low-lying and poorly drained urban areas should prepare for short-term inundation during intense downpours and take steps to protect property and essential documents.
This weather development comes as the monsoon remains variable across the country, with pockets of heavy rainfall alternating with relatively drier intervals. The IMD will continue to issue advisories as the situation evolves.
