Weather Update: IMD Issues 'Red Alert' As Low-pressure Area Forms Over Arabian Sea, Bay Of Bengal

New Delhi: In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the monsoon is poised to unleash its fury over India once again. Satellite imagery released by the IMD reveals a striking sight: a massive 'white zone'—a dense cluster of active white clouds—hovering over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal and advancing rapidly towards India. According to meteorologists, this moisture-laden cloud mass could bring heavy rainfall to North, Central, and East India.

Is Low-Pressure Area Forming in the Bay of Bengal? 

Meanwhile, the weather department has indicated a high probability of a low-pressure area forming over the North Bay of Bengal and the adjacent West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts within the next 24 hours. This system is likely to trigger heavy rainfall across East and Northeast India, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the Western Himalayan regions over the next seven days.
Additionally, the IMD has issued a special warning for Odisha, predicting extremely heavy rainfall. The department anticipates that certain locations in Odisha could receive over 204 mm of rainfall—classified as 'extremely heavy'—on July 14 and 15. In the last 24 hours alone, 16 cm of rainfall was recorded in Kendrapara (Odisha) and 14 cm in West Champaran (Bihar). Heavy rains pose risks such as waterlogging in urban areas, flooded roads, and landslides.

What is the Situation in Delhi-NCR and Northwest India? 

While Eastern India is experiencing rainfall, the plains of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Western Uttar Pradesh are grappling with heat and intense humidity. The IMD predicts subdued rainfall activity in these regions for the next 6–7 days. The department has stated that hot and humid conditions are likely to persist in these areas until July 16. During this period, Delhi's maximum temperature is expected to hover between 37°C and 39°C, although light drizzle towards the evening might bring some relief. According to the Meteorological Department, intermittent rain is forecast for Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until July 19. The department has also warned of thunderstorms, strong winds, and lightning strikes in several parts of the region, while predicting heavy rainfall in the Himalayan states during the latter part of the week.

What will the weather be like in the hilly states?

According to the IMD forecast, scattered rainfall is expected in mountainous regions—specifically Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad—between July 14 and 17, with the rain spreading to more areas on July 18 and 19. The IMD stated that widespread rainfall is likely in Uttarakhand between July 14 and 19, with heavy rain expected in isolated parts of the state from July 15 to 19. The department has predicted heavy rainfall in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh, the Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad region, and Western Uttar Pradesh on July 18 and 19, while Eastern Uttar Pradesh may experience heavy rain at isolated places between July 17 and 19.

What are Heatwave conditions in the South and warnings for fishermen? 

Surprisingly, parts of South India are reeling under heatwave conditions even during the monsoon season. The IMD has issued a heatwave warning for coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Rayalaseema for July 14 and 15. Additionally, due to adverse weather and strong winds (reaching speeds of 60–80 km/h), fishermen have been advised to stay away from the coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.