The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of severe weather warnings for multiple states, despite Cyclone Montha weakening into a deep depression after making landfall. The system, which is now centred over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining Vidarbha, continues to pose a significant threat of widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, the weather system is expected to move northwards and further weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area within hours. Nevertheless, its expansive reach means that several regions will face intense weather conditions until at least Friday.
Telangana on high alert
The IMD report highlights Telangana as one of the most affected regions. A red alert, indicating very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, is in effect for districts including Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Mahabubabad and Warangal. These areas are also forecast to experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph.
An orange alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for isolated places in Komuram Bheem Asifabad, Adilabad and Mancherial, amongst others. A further yellow alert for lighter, isolated rain covers districts such as Nizamabad, Khammam and Rangareddy.
Extended rainfall for West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh
In West Bengal, the IMD has forecast three days of intense rainfall before conditions are expected to improve from November 1. The report from the meteorological office details that the rain will commence over South Bengal districts, including South and North 24 Parganas, before moving inland towards Purulia and Birbhum. By October 31, the rainfall is predicted to peak over North Bengal, with heavy to very heavy rain likely in Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Darjeeling.
Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is also under an orange alert, with heavy rainfall warnings for a dozen districts, spanning from Prakasam and SPSR Nellore to Srikakulam.
Widespread Showers Forecast Across Eastern and Central India
The influence of the former cyclone is extensive. The IMD has indicated that rainfall will continue in Bihar and Jharkhand until Thursday. Showers are also likely in Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh over the coming days.
Gujarat is expected to see light to moderate rain until November 1, with isolated very heavy rain likely over the Marathwada, Saurashtra and Kutch regions until October 31.
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