Heavy Rain Alert: Punjab, Haryana on Watch for Aug 17-18, Himachal, J&K Face Very Heavy Showers

PANCHKULA, Aug 17: Several parts of northwest India are likely to experience intense rainfall over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy showers across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab on August 17 and 18.

The weather system is expected to be more active over the western Himalayan region, where Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh and adjoining areas, could witness isolated spells of very heavy rain.

According to the IMD’s All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued on August 17, fairly widespread rainfall is expected across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab on August 18, while scattered showers may occur over other parts of northwest India.

For August 17, the weather agency has specifically warned of heavy rainfall at isolated places in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab. The rainfall activity is expected to expand on the following day, with fairly widespread to widespread showers likely across the region.

The western Himalayan states face a stronger weather system. Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive scattered very heavy rainfall on August 17 and 18, while Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad could experience similar conditions from August 17 to 19.

Uttarakhand has also been placed under a very heavy rainfall warning for August 17.

The IMD’s August 17 outlook indicates the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall over several regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Similar conditions have also been forecast over parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand.

On August 18, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and eastern Uttar Pradesh, besides Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Sikkim. Heavy showers are also expected over parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh.

The wet spell over the western Himalayan region is expected to continue during the week. From August 17 to 23, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand.

Following the intense rainfall expected on August 17 and 18, Himachal Pradesh may continue to receive scattered heavy showers from August 19 to 23. Uttarakhand is also expected to witness heavy rainfall during much of this period, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh could see isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rain.

The weather department has also issued a flash-flood risk outlook valid until 5.30 am on August 18. A low to moderate risk has been identified across some river catchments and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh and Uttarakhand.

In Himachal Pradesh, the districts under the flash-flood risk include Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur. In Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur and Leh have been identified as vulnerable areas.

Several districts of Uttarakhand, including Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi, have also been included in the assessment.

The IMD said accumulated rainfall could result in surface water flow or flooding in low-lying locations and areas where the soil is already saturated.

The prevailing conditions are linked to multiple weather systems. The depression over coastal West Bengal and adjoining areas was moving northwestwards towards Jharkhand and was expected to cross Gangetic West Bengal during the following 24 hours.

The monsoon trough was extending from Firozpur through Dehradun, Bareilly, Sultanpur, Daltonganj and Jamshedpur before passing through the depression over coastal West Bengal and adjoining regions.

An upper-air cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh was also persisting, while another circulation over Jammu Division and neighbouring areas was observed at higher levels.

Rainfall observations between 8.30 am on August 16 and 5.30 am on August 17 showed rain at most places in Punjab and Uttarakhand, with many areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh also receiving showers.

The IMD has clarified that the red colour used in its warning maps signifies “Take Action” and should not automatically be interpreted as a separate “Red Alert”. The daily forecasts and warnings are valid from 8.30 am on the stated day until 8.30 am the following day.