New Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the southwest monsoon will remain active across northwest India and several other parts of the country for the next six to seven days. The weather department has predicted intermittent heavy rainfall in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh during the next six days.

The IMD has also warned of strong surface winds in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts have been issued for several states across central, eastern, northeastern and western India.

According to the weather department, Delhi is likely to witness light to moderate rainfall on Sunday afternoon or evening. However, despite the possibility of rain, immediate relief from humidity and heat is unlikely. The maximum temperature in the national capital is expected to remain between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may range between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius. Similar weather conditions are likely to continue on July 20 and 21, with minor fluctuations in temperature.

The IMD had also predicted light rainfall in Delhi on Saturday. Although some areas witnessed light showers and drizzle during the day, most parts of the city continued to experience humid weather. Despite cloudy conditions, residents did not get significant relief from the heat.

The weather department said monsoon activities are expected to intensify across northwest, eastern and northeastern India over the next six to seven days. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh between July 19 and 21.

In contrast, rainfall activity is expected to decrease in most parts of west-central India and the southern peninsular region.

As per the forecast, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh may receive light to moderate rainfall at several places, with isolated spells of heavy showers during the next six days. Strong and gusty winds are likely in the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The IMD has advised residents and tourists in these areas to remain alert and follow weather-related advisories.

The weather department has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for several parts of central India, eastern India, northeastern India, western India and the southern peninsular region. The IMD cautioned that continuous rainfall may lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic disruptions in urban regions, landslides in hilly areas and localised flooding in some places.

Strong winds may also affect electricity supply and normal life in vulnerable areas.

The IMD further predicted strong surface winds in coastal Karnataka, north interior Karnataka and south interior Karnataka between July 19 and 24. Telangana is also likely to experience rain accompanied by strong winds from July 19 to 22.

Meanwhile, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab are expected to continue witnessing warm and humid conditions despite rainfall.

According to rainfall data released by the IMD, extremely heavy rainfall of up to 21 cm was recorded in Chhattisgarh and Meghalaya during the past 24 hours. Very heavy rainfall ranging between 12 cm and 20 cm was reported from Punjab, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm was recorded in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat region, Konkan and Goa, Odisha, Bihar, Tripura, coastal and south interior Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh-Yanam and Kerala.

The IMD has advised people living in areas under heavy rainfall and strong wind alerts to avoid unnecessary travel, remain cautious in waterlogged areas and follow the latest weather bulletins and advisories issued by local authorities and the meteorological department.

The department has particularly advised travellers visiting hilly regions to closely monitor weather conditions and take necessary precautions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar