The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a revival of monsoon activity across northwest India from July 28, ending a prolonged dry spell in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh and offering much-needed relief to farmers preparing for the kharif season. At the same time, a depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify, bringing heavy rainfall and increasing flood risks in parts of eastern India.
According to the IMD, widespread rainfall is likely over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between July 28 and July 31, while Punjab is expected to receive fairly widespread showers during the same period. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand are also likely to witness widespread rainfall until August 1, with rain activity gradually extending to western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan.
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The renewed rainfall is expected to improve soil moisture, replenish reservoirs and accelerate paddy transplantation in Punjab, Haryana and adjoining regions. Farmers who had delayed sowing due to insufficient rainfall are expected to resume planting as weather conditions improve, reducing dependence on irrigation during the early stages of the kharif crop.
Meanwhile, the IMD said a depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal near the Odisha-West Bengal coast is likely to strengthen into a deep depression within 24 hours before crossing the coast between Paradip and Sagar Island around noon on July 27.
The weather agency has forecast isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Odisha and heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Chhattisgarh and Gangetic West Bengal. A low to moderate flash flood risk has been issued for several districts in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, where intense rainfall could trigger waterlogging, surface runoff and localised flooding in low-lying areas.
The IMD has advised residents in vulnerable regions to remain alert, avoid flooded areas and follow instructions issued by local authorities as the system moves inland over the coming days.
