New Delhi: Rain is likely to remain active across several parts of India on Thursday, October 8, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal and Sikkim.
The IMD’s latest forecast, issued on October 7, also predicts thunderstorms and lightning in several northern, central and eastern states, signalling another day of unsettled weather as the southwest monsoon continues its gradual retreat from the country.
Rain And Thunderstorms Around India
Kerala and Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall on October 8.
Kerala is expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rain, while rainfall is also likely at many places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal.
In the north, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, as well as West Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir may also experience thunderstorms with gusty winds. In central India, Chhattisgarh is likely to see thunderstorms with winds reaching 40-50 kmph, while similar activity is expected over parts of Odisha.
Southern India will remain another focus for rain.
The IMD expects isolated rainfall over Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and parts of Karnataka, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala remain under a broader spell of rain extending through the coming days.
Monsoon Withdrawal Picks Up Speed
The October 8 forecast comes as the southwest monsoon continues to withdraw from more parts of India.
As of October 7, the withdrawal line stretched from parts of the eastern Himalayan region through Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and into the Arabian Sea.
The IMD said conditions are likely to become favourable for further withdrawal from some more parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, as well as parts of Telangana and north interior Karnataka, during the next two to three days.
This does not mean rain will immediately disappear across the country.
October can continue to bring spells of rain and thunderstorms, particularly in southern and eastern India, even as the monsoon retreats.
The latest forecast reflects exactly that transition; rainfall will become limited across regions, while a few areas remain under active weather systems that will help produce pockets of relief through heavy showers and thunderstorms.
