India to get widespread rainfall in the coming week

India is set to experience widespread rainfall over the coming week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The widespread rain is expected to stretch across various regions, including the north-west, central, eastern and western parts of the country. The IMD predicts thunderstorms and lightning in many of these areas as well.

In the north-west, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab are expected to see fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, from September 16-17. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad are anticipated to experience similar weather conditions on September 17. Other parts of northwest India may witness isolated to scattered rainfall, with thunderstorms and lightning.

Central India, particularly West Madhya Pradesh, is forecast to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall from September 17-19. East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh are likely to see similar conditions during September 16-19 and 19-21, respectively. The eastern region is expected to remain wet throughout the period.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are forecast to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall from September 16-21. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand are also predicted to get widespread rains during the same week.

Arunachal Pradesh is forecast to see fairly widespread to widespread rainfall in the north-east on September 16-17. Assam and Meghalaya are expected to experience similar weather on September 16. The remaining northeastern states may see isolated to scattered rainfall throughout various periods up to September 21.

West India, including Konkan and Goa, is likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread rain on September 16 and again from September 19-21. Madhya Maharashtra and Marathawada may experience isolated to scattered rainfall throughout September 16-21.

The southwest monsoon has entered its final phase, bringing an uneven distribution of rainfall across regions. The cumulative rainfall during June 1-September 14 has been 673.6 mm, which is 15% lower than the normal 790.1 mm. While continued rainfall in central, eastern, and western parts could provide relief to agricultural areas, thunderstorms and lightning pose risks to people, transport, and outdoor activities.

The south-west monsoon season has so far accounted for about 70% of India's annual rainfall. Conditions are becoming favorable for the southwest monsoon to begin withdrawing from parts of west Rajasthan around September 19, signaling the onset of the retreating phase of the four-month rainy season. The monsoon's withdrawal marks the transition towards the post-monsoon season, which will be closely watched as it accounts for a significant portion of India's annual rainfall.