India weather this week: Flash floods, heavy rains likely in south and east - Check region-wise forecast

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant weather alert, forecasting widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across southern and eastern India through to October 26. The weather agency, in its bulletin cited by TOI, attributes this persistent spell to a surge in northeast monsoon activity currently influencing the region.

Southern peninsular states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, alongside the Lakshadweep Islands, are expected to bear the brunt of the conditions.

The forecast predicts light to moderate rainfall at many places, punctuated by isolated heavy to very heavy downpours, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

The IMD has delineated specific warnings for various states. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall until October 23, particularly in coastal and adjoining interior districts such as Chennai, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.

In Kerala and Mahe, the period from October 22 to 24 is of particular concern, with very heavy rainfall predicted for central and northern districts including Idukki, Wayanad and Kozhikode. Karnataka’ coastal and southern interior regions, including Bengaluru, are likely to see intermittent heavy rainfall and thunderstorms until October 25.

Andhra Pradesh’s coastal and Rayalaseema districts are braced for continuous wet weather, with very heavy rain anticipated between October 22 and 25, affecting areas like Chittoor and Nellore. Telangana is also set for heavy rainfall from October 23 to 25.

Citing saturated soils and ongoing precipitation, the IMD has issued a low to moderate flash flood risk for several districts. In Kerala, the vulnerable areas include Idukki, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram.

In Tamil Nadu, the warning covers Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram and Madurai, among others. The Rayalaseema districts of Chittoor and Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh are also under a similar alert.

The weather activity is not confined to the south. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to experience multiple spells of rainfall, with heavy falls predicted on October 21 and again from October 24 to 26, accompanied by gusty winds of 30-50 kmph that pose risks to maritime activities.

Eastern and central India, including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh, are likely to see thunderstorms with lightning until October 24. While western regions such as Konkan, Goa and Marathwada are also forecast to experience thunderstorms, the rainfall is expected to be less intense than in the southern states.

A brief spell of thunderstorm activity is also expected in the northern hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on October 21.

Across the affected regions, residents and travellers are being advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense weather. The IMD has specifically cautioned fishermen against venturing into rough seas in coastal areas.