New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast widespread monsoon rains across large parts of the country between August 10 and 16, with isolated episodes of heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in pockets of northwest, central, northeast and east India. The bulletin said the wet spell could disrupt surface transport and outdoor activities in vulnerable areas.
What the IMD has said
The IMD's All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin (Morning), issued on August 10, highlighted that several regions will receive sustained rainfall during the week. The department expects fairly widespread to widespread rain over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and adjoining areas from August 10 to 13, and similar activity over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand through August 15. East Rajasthan is also likely to record fairly widespread to widespread rain between August 10 and 13.
For August 10 specifically, the IMD advised there would be heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over East Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Madhya Pradesh. Several other states and Union Territories were listed for isolated heavy rainfall, including Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha.
Flash‑flood outlook and vulnerable districts
The weather bulletin also flagged a low to moderate risk of flash floods for parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for the 24‑hour period ending 05:30 IST on August 11. Districts identified as potentially at risk include:
- Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, Sirmaur
- Uttarakhand: Bageshwar, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi
The IMD warned that in areas with fully saturated soils and in low‑lying locations, expected rainfall may cause surface runoff or inundation.
Timing and regional detail
Below is a compact summary of the IMD's temporal guidance for the principal regions named in the bulletin.
| Region | Forecast window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh | Aug 10–13 | Fairly widespread to widespread rain |
| Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand | Himachal: through Aug 15; Uttarakhand: through Aug 15 | Widespread rainfall; isolated heavy spells |
| East Rajasthan | Aug 10–13 | Fairly widespread to widespread rain |
| Central, northeast, east India | Aug 10–16 | Isolated heavy to very heavy rain expected |
Impacts and precautions
The IMD bulletin noted that the active monsoon conditions could affect road and rail movement, tourism and other outdoor plans in places prone to heavy rainfall. Authorities and residents in at‑risk districts should take precautions:
- Monitor local IMD warnings and district administration advisories.
- Avoid travel through narrow hill roads and low‑lying bridges during intense spells; expect delays in rail and road services.
- Stay away from riverbanks and areas liable to landslips or flash flooding, especially where soils are already saturated.
- Secure loose materials and avoid outdoor work when thunderstorms or lightning are forecast.
Given the IMD's identification of specific Himalayan districts at risk of flash flooding, district administrations are expected to keep rescue and relief resources on alert and arrange timely dissemination of warnings to local communities.
The IMD's outlook covers a rolling period and is subject to update; residents and travellers are advised to follow subsequent bulletins for changes in intensity, timing or the areas likely to be affected.
