Rain fury to continue across India: IMD warns of extremely heavy rain in these states; what travellers need to know

Several parts of India are likely to remain under wet weather conditions through the first week of September, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple states and isolated extremely heavy rainfall in parts of eastern and central India.According to the IMD's All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued on August 31, a well-marked low pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas of north coastal Odisha and northwest Bay of Bengal persisted on Monday morning. The system, accompanied by a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, is likely to move west-northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours.Odisha, Chhattisgarh under highest rainfall threatFor August 31, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, as well as Uttarakhand.The weather department has also warned of heavy rainfall in Assam and Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, West Bengal and Sikkim, and West Uttar Pradesh.Odisha is expected to see isolated extremely heavy rainfall again on September 1, while Chhattisgarh is forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rain. East Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.Rain to persist into SeptemberThe wet spell is not expected to end immediately. The IMD forecasts fairly widespread to widespread rainfall across several regions through September 5.In northwest India, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rain through September 5, while East Uttar Pradesh is likely to see similar conditions from September 1 to 5. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to remain wet through September 2.Central India is also likely to remain active. Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha are forecast to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall through September 5, while West Madhya Pradesh is expected to see widespread rainfall from September 2 to 5.Across eastern India, widespread rainfall is forecast over Gangetic West Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through September 5. Jharkhand and Odisha are likely to see widespread rain through September 2, while Bihar is expected to remain wet through September 2.Northeast and south also likely to see rainNortheast India is expected to remain under widespread rainfall during August 31-September 5. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall over Assam and Meghalaya through this period, with Arunachal Pradesh likely to receive heavy rain from September 1 to 5. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura could also experience heavy rainfall during September 1-5.In the south, Coastal Karnataka is likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall throughout August 31-September 5. Kerala and Lakshadweep are forecast to see widespread rainfall through September 3, while isolated to scattered rainfall is expected over Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and neighbouring areas during the week.The IMD has also issued a flash-flood outlook indicating a low to moderate risk over several watersheds and neighbourhoods in Assam and Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, as well as parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. Localised surface runoff, inundation and flooding are possible in low-lying areas where soils are already saturated.Travel and outdoor activities may be affectedThe IMD said heavy rainfall and squally winds could affect road and rail traffic, while localised landslides, mudslides, waterlogging, inundation and flooding may occur in vulnerable areas. Visibility could also fall during periods of heavy rain.The weather department has advised people to monitor changing conditions, move to safer locations if necessary and avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms. It has also recommended regulating tourism and recreational activities in areas affected by severe weather.Meanwhile, sea conditions are expected to remain rough in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, with squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph in several areas. Fishermen have been warned about conditions off the south Tamil Nadu coast, parts of the Gulf of Mannar, southwest Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and several stretches along the eastern coast.Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.