IMD Predicts Heavy Rain Nationwide, Assam Flood Toll Reaches 98

Heavy rainfall is expected across large parts of India on Saturday, August 8, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting widespread showers over the northwest, central, eastern, northeastern, western and peninsular regions. The latest bulletin, issued on Friday night, warned that some areas could receive heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. Authorities have advised residents of vulnerable locations to remain alert to waterlogging, flooding, traffic disruption and other rain-related hazards.

In northern India, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are also expected to experience widespread showers. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Rajasthan, with parts of eastern Rajasthan facing the possibility of heavy to very heavy precipitation. Orange warnings have been issued for districts in Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh, indicating the possibility of conditions that could disrupt routine activities and travel.

Eastern India is also expected to remain under an active spell of monsoon weather. The IMD has predicted widespread rain over Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, while Bihar is likely to continue receiving widespread rainfall. Odisha faces a warning for very heavy rain on August 8. Orange alerts have also been issued for parts of Madhya Pradesh, while thunderstorms and intense rainfall could affect several areas across the central and eastern regions.

Also Read: Kerala, Tamil Nadu on Alert as Southern States Brace For Heavy Rain

The northeastern states are likely to receive widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy showers forecast over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and neighbouring areas. Orange warnings have been issued for parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Assam. The continuing flood emergency in Assam has claimed 98 lives, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority. The deaths include 57 men, 23 women and 18 children, with Cachar reporting 22 fatalities and Sivasagar recording 10. Karimganj reported nine deaths, while Golaghat recorded six.

In western and southern India, widespread rain is likely over Konkan and Goa, while parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat could also receive showers. Heavy rain is forecast over Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka, with very heavy precipitation possible at isolated locations. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may affect parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, adding to the risk of localised flooding, reduced visibility and disruption to road travel.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai said northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal could experience isolated light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds. Winds may reach speeds of 40 to 50 kmph in some districts along the Western Ghats. The conditions are being influenced by weak atmospheric circulations extending from the southwest Bay of Bengal across Tamil Nadu towards the northern Kerala coast and over the coastal areas of northern Tamil Nadu. Residents have been advised to follow official weather advisories as conditions develop.

Also Read: Delhi Under Red Alert as Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Continue