Summary
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in eastern Madhya Pradesh, with the weather department issuing an orange alert.
Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha may receive heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong winds during Saturday.
Flash flood risks remain high across parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and several Himalayan states.
Thunderstorms and lightning may affect Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand, prompting residents to avoid open and exposed areas.
Farmers are advised to improve drainage, protect crops and livestock, and avoid outdoor work during heavy rain and thunderstorms.
A low-pressure area over northeastern Madhya Pradesh and adjoining regions continued to influence weather conditions across central and northern India on Saturday, August 22, bringing the threat of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and flash floods. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for parts of eastern Madhya Pradesh, where rainfall between 115.6 to 204.4 millimetres is expected in some areas.
The weather system is accompanied by a cyclonic circulation extending up to around 4.5 kilometres above sea level. The monsoon trough is currently passing through Amritsar, Dehradun, Lucknow and the centre of the low-pressure area before extending towards Ranchi, Digha and the northeastern Bay of Bengal.
The prevailing atmospheric conditions are expected to produce widespread rainfall across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and neighbouring regions. Western Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha are among the areas forecast to receive heavy rainfall, with 64.5 to 115.5 millimetres possible in isolated locations.
Delhi and the National Capital Region are also likely to experience heavy showers. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for parts of Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh, while similar warnings remain in place for Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.
Persistent rainfall in the hills could raise water levels in rivers, streams and drainage channels, increasing the possibility of local flooding and disruptions to road travel.
Rainfall is expected to be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in several parts of the country. Andhra Pradesh, north interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu-Puducherry could experience winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. Coastal Karnataka, Rajasthan, south interior Karnataka and western Uttar Pradesh may see gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour.
The weather department has also warned of lightning over Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand. Residents have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms and avoid open fields, isolated trees, electricity poles and exposed elevated locations.
Flash flood threat in vulnerable areas
The combination of intense rainfall and saturated ground has raised concerns about sudden flooding. Flash-flood risks have been identified in several districts of Chhattisgarh, eastern Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours.
Hill districts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand are also vulnerable. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to stay away from rivers, streams and low-lying areas during periods of intense rain, as water levels can rise rapidly with little warning.
The weather conditions have prompted precautionary advice for farmers. Fields should have proper drainage, while irrigation should be avoided in areas expecting intense rainfall. Farmers have also been advised against spraying fertilisers and pesticides immediately before heavy showers.
Harvested crops, seeds, fertilisers and agricultural equipment should be moved to secure, elevated locations. Livestock should also be kept in safe shelters, particularly where strong winds, lightning or flooding are expected. Outdoor agricultural work should be suspended during thunderstorms.
During the previous 24 hours, Lucknow recorded 60 millimetres of rain, while Jabalpur and Pendra Road each received 40 millimetres. On August 21, Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded the country's highest maximum temperature at 39.9 degrees Celsius, while Haflong in Assam recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 18 degrees Celsius.
As the monsoon remains active, residents across affected regions are advised to monitor official weather warnings, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and exercise particular caution on waterlogged roads. The coming hours are expected to remain unsettled, with heavy rainfall and localised flooding continuing to pose significant risks across several states.