The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across East and Central India. A developing depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to trigger floods and landslides.

  • Depression over coastal West Bengal and Bangladesh to bring intense rain.
  • Red Alerts issued for parts of Odisha and Jharkhand.
  • Orange Alerts for Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a critical warning regarding heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Eastern, Central, and Northern India for Tuesday. A low-pressure area that formed over coastal West Bengal and the north Bay of Bengal on Sunday has intensified into a depression, triggering widespread weather alerts.

According to meteorological data, the system is currently centered over coastal West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh. As it moves inland, it is expected to dump massive amounts of precipitation, with isolated locations potentially receiving more than 20 cm of rain within the next 24 hours.

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High-Risk Zones and Red Alerts

The most severe weather is forecast for Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Specifically, the IMD has placed Balasore and Keonjhar in Odisha under a red alert. In West Bengal, districts such as Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, and Bankura are bracing for isolated extremely heavy rainfall.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the intensification of this depression system during the mid-monsoon phase can lead to catastrophic urban flooding. The sudden influx of over 20 cm of rain in a short window often overwhelms outdated drainage systems in cities like Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, leading to prolonged economic disruptions and safety hazards.

"The movement of a depression from the coast to the mainland typically creates a corridor of high-intensity rain that can trigger flash floods in river basins."

Beyond the plains, the IMD has issued an orange alert for the Himalayan belt, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. In these regions, the primary concern is the risk of landslides and localized flooding, which could sever critical road connectivity in hilly terrains.

The weather system is expected to persist throughout the week. By Wednesday and Thursday, the rain belt will gradually shift westward, bringing significant rainfall to Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. Northeastern states, including Assam and Manipur, will also experience widespread showers.

Did You Know?: A 'depression' in meteorological terms is a low-pressure system where the air rises, cools, and condenses, leading to the formation of clouds and heavy precipitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which states are under the Red Alert?
A: Parts of Odisha and Jharkhand have been placed under a red alert due to the risk of extreme rainfall.

Q2: Will the rain affect North India?
A: Yes, the system is moving northwestward, bringing heavy rain to Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and eventually Punjab and Haryana.