NEW DELHI: In a recent weather update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued predictions of substantial rainfall in several states starting from September 2nd. The states expected to be affected include Odisha, Chhattisgarh, North Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The IMD also indicated the likelihood of isolated heavy rainfall in the Andaman-Nicobar Islands and the extreme southern regions of Peninsular India over the next 2-3 days.

Puducherry is also expected to experience heavy rainfall in specific parts of the city from August 30th to September 1st, as stated in an official release. The IMD press release on August 30th stated, "Anticipate heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal from August 30th to September 1st." Additionally, the IMD's forecast extends to several areas in Andhra Pradesh where heavy rainfall is expected over a three-day period. The Meteorological Department expects light to moderate rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in isolated regions of NCAP, Yanam, SCAP, and Rayalaseema over the weekend.

In Odisha, among the 30 districts, 11 districts reported rainfall deficits, while 18 experienced normal levels of precipitation. Boudh district recorded a significant 21 percent excess rainfall during the ongoing monsoon. Responding to this, the Odisha government has devised a contingency plan to address the situation, a high-ranking official disclosed. Up to August 31st, the districts experiencing rainfall deficits include Nawrangpur (-41%), Kendrapara (-37%), Kalahandi (-36%), Ganjam (-35%), Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, and Khurda (-28%), as well as Puri, Cuttack (-26%), Rayagada (-25%), and Koraput (-22%). According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, from June 1, 2013, to August 30, 2023, the state received 783.1 mm of rainfall against the normal 906.5 mm, resulting in a cumulative deficit of about 14 percent.

Providing some respite, HR Biswas, the Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar, forecasted a change in the situation from September 1st, predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms with lightning in several districts during the first week of September.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra is grappling with rainfall deficiencies. Farmers in Latur district, central Maharashtra, are facing a crisis due to severe rainfall shortages in August. A prolonged dry spell during the month has led to crop withering across various locations. The agriculture department has also received complaints about substandard soybean seeds. Experts attribute the decline in the production of sweet limes to scanty rains in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, which has led to dry soil, increased temperatures, and fruit infections.

In Assam, the flood situation in Morigaon district remains dire, with nearly 45,000 individuals affected by the current wave of flooding. Approximately 105 villages in the district have been inundated by the deluge, submerging over 3059 hectares of crop area.

Regional Predictions:

Northeast India: Isolated heavy rains are expected in Assam and Meghalaya on September 2nd and 3rd, while Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura may experience the same in the following four days.

East India: Starting from September 2nd, there is a projected increase in rainfall activity, featuring light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and isolated heavy rainfall over Andaman & Nicobar Islands from August 30th to September 3rd, Gangetic West Bengal on September 3rd, and Odisha on September 2nd and 3rd.

Central India: Isolated heavy rainfall is likely in south Chhattisgarh on September 2nd and 3rd.

South India: The weather department forecasts isolated heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal from August 30th to September 1st, in Kerala from August 30th to 31st, and in north Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on September 2nd and 3rd, 2023.

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