New Delhi, Sept 16: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast renewed monsoon activity on Thursday, September 17, with widespread thunderstorms, lightning and isolated heavy rainfall expected across several regions of the country.
Stormy conditions in north and central belts
The IMD has indicated that parts of the national capital region and neighbouring states will see convective activity beginning Wednesday night and persisting into Thursday morning. For Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh, isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of up to 40–50 kmph are predicted on September 17. Punjab is forecast to experience similar conditions, with the agency expecting fairly widespread rain there.
Eastern Rajasthan may also face isolated thunderstorms with gusts reaching 30–40 kmph. Similar thunderstorm and lightning activity is likely over parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, West Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, while rainfall will continue over Uttar Pradesh; isolated rainfall is forecast for both its eastern and western districts, and the IMD noted that the system affecting east Uttar Pradesh may persist until September 21.
Heavy rain risk in east, northeast and south
The most pronounced rain potential for September 17 lies in the northeast, eastern India and the southern peninsula. The IMD warned of isolated heavy rainfall over several states and island territories, including:
- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya
- Bihar
- Sub‑Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal
In the west, Gujarat is likely to see fairly widespread rain on Thursday, with Saurashtra and Kutch also experiencing precipitation.
| Region | Expected conditions (Sept 17) |
|---|---|
| Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab | Isolated thunderstorms, lightning, gusts 40–50 kmph |
| East Rajasthan | Isolated thunderstorms, gusts 30–40 kmph |
| Northeast & East India | Isolated heavy rainfall in pockets |
| Kerala, TN, Puducherry | Isolated heavy rainfall |
| Gujarat (including Saurashtra & Kutch) | Fairly widespread rain |
Multiple weather systems driving activity
The IMD attributed the active spell to several co‑existing weather systems that are influencing the monsoon pattern over the subcontinent. Such interacting systems commonly produce convective storms — fast‑developing cloud formations that bring brief but intense rainfall, lightning and strong winds. These episodes can cause waterlogging, localized flooding, damage to vulnerable structures and disruptions to transport and power supply.
Authorities and commuters were already seeing the effects in urban areas; photographs accompanying the IMD bulletin showed waterlogged roads in Rajkot after heavy rain. The forecast underscores the need for caution during outdoor travel and for municipal and disaster preparedness teams to monitor drains, low‑lying areas and river basins.
Precautions and outlook
The IMD advisory implies that residents in the impacted regions should take routine precautions during thunderstorm episodes: avoid sheltering under isolated trees, refrain from driving through flooded stretches, and stay indoors during lightning. Farmers and state agencies in the agricultural sector may need to factor in heavy downpours when planning harvesting or harvesting operations in rain‑sensitive areas.
While isolated heavy events are expected on September 17, the IMD’s note that the east Uttar Pradesh system could linger until September 21 suggests further monitoring is warranted. The department will issue updated bulletins as systems evolve; users are advised to follow local IMD offices and district authorities for real‑time warnings and instructions.
The forecast is based on satellite imagery and synoptic analysis by the IMD; such projections carry normal meteorological uncertainty, particularly regarding the precise location and intensity of isolated convective cells. However, the broad signal of active rainfall across the named regions is robust for the short lead time.
