Monsoon – IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Heavy Rain in Puri This Weekend
Monsoon – The India Meteorological Department has placed Puri under a yellow alert for Saturday and Sunday, warning of heavy rain in parts of the district. The advisory follows the strengthening of a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and nearby coastal areas of north Odisha and West Bengal.
Low-Pressure System Strengthens Over Bay of Bengal
The weather office said the low-pressure area that existed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast on Friday became a well-marked low-pressure area by 5:30 am on Saturday. The system is expected to influence rainfall activity along the Odisha coast, including Puri, over the next two days.
Residents and visitors have been advised to remain alert during periods of intense rain. Local authorities may issue further guidance depending on the movement and strength of the weather system.
Rain Continues Near Shree Jagannatha Temple
Cloudy conditions and intermittent showers were reported around the Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri on Saturday. Despite the rain, devotees continued to arrive at the temple, one of Odisha’s most visited religious sites.
The yellow alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated locations. While it does not signal an emergency, the IMD advisory calls for caution, particularly in low-lying areas where waterlogging may occur during prolonged showers.
Southwest Monsoon Advances Across Northern and Western India
In a separate update issued on Thursday, the IMD said the southwest monsoon had moved further into several parts of the country. The seasonal rain-bearing system has covered additional areas of Gujarat, the remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh, the whole of Delhi, most regions of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, and some areas of Rajasthan.
The department said the Northern Limit of Monsoon, as recorded on July 2, was passing through 22 degrees north and 60 degrees east, 22 degrees north and 65 degrees east, Porbandar, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Neemuch, Tonk, Bhiwani, Bhatinda and 32.5 degrees north and 70 degrees east.
Weather conditions are expected to remain favourable for the monsoon to advance further during the next two to three days. The IMD said more areas of the North Arabian Sea and Gujarat could receive monsoon coverage, along with the remaining parts of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab and additional districts of Rajasthan.
Delhi Receives Monsoon Arrival
The IMD confirmed that the southwest monsoon reached Delhi on Thursday. The arrival came later than the normal onset date of June 27 for the national capital.
Monsoon rains are expected to bring periodic showers to Delhi and surrounding areas in the coming days. However, rainfall intensity may vary depending on local weather systems and the movement of the monsoon trough.
Himachal Pradesh Fully Covered by Monsoon
The southwest monsoon has now covered all of Himachal Pradesh, according to the weather department. Officials expect active monsoon conditions to continue across the hill state in the coming weeks, with some districts likely to experience intermittent heavy rainfall.
Shobhit Katiyar, head of the IMD office in Himachal Pradesh, said the monsoon completed its coverage of the state on July 1 after advancing gradually over the previous few days. He said widespread rain had been recorded across districts during the last two to three days.
Heavy rainfall was reported especially in Chamba and Kangra districts, Katiyar said. The weather department is continuing to monitor rainfall patterns in the state as monsoon activity remains active across the Himalayan region.