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Latest IMD Weather Update: August 2024 Rainfall and Flash Flood Warnings

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released its latest weather forecast, covering the period from August 8th to 14th, 2024. This detailed update highlights significant rainfall expected across various regions of India, along with warnings of potential flash floods in vulnerable areas. 

Region	Rainfall Forecast	Flash Flood Risk	Key Dates
Northeast India	Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall	Moderate risk in low-lying areas of Assam and Meghalaya	August 8th - 14th
Western Himalayan Region	Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall	Moderate risk in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand	August 8th, 10th, and 14th
East India	Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall	Risk in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal	August 8th - 12th
Central India	Fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall with heavy rainfall at isolated places	Moderate risk in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh	August 8th - 10th
Peninsular India	Subdued rainfall activity; scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall	Low risk, with isolated heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Kerala	August 8th - 13th
Flash Flood Guidance (24 hours)	Moderate risk in watersheds of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East and West Madhya Pradesh	Surface runoff and inundation expected in fully saturated soils	August 8th - 9th

Here’s a summary of what to expect and how to stay prepared during this week.

Rainfall Forecast:

Over the next seven days, several regions across India are likely to experience fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall. The areas most affected include Northeast India, the Western Himalayan Region, and parts of East India.

Key highlights:

• Northeast India and the Western Himalayan Region will likely see isolated heavy rainfall throughout the week.
• East India is expected to receive significant rainfall over the next 3-4 days, particularly in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• Peninsular India may experience subdued rainfall activity, with scattered showers expected in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

Flash Flood Warnings:

The IMD has also issued flash flood warnings for several regions. Moderate flash flood risk is likely in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, particularly in low-lying areas and watersheds with fully saturated soils. Residents in these areas should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

Impact and Safety Measures:

Heavy rainfall can lead to several challenges, including:

• Urban Flooding: Roads may become waterlogged, leading to traffic disruptions and increased travel time in major cities.
• Reduced Visibility: Expect occasional visibility reduction due to heavy rainfall, affecting driving conditions.
• Landslides and Crop Damage: Vulnerable regions, particularly in hilly areas, may experience landslides, while inundation can damage standing crops.

The IMD advises residents in affected areas to check for traffic congestion before leaving, avoid waterlogged areas, and refrain from staying in vulnerable structures.

Agromet Advisories:

Farmers in regions expecting heavy rainfall are advised to drain excess water from fields and provide support to horticultural crops. In Northeast India, measures should be taken to manage runoff in Jhum rice fields, and mulching is recommended for ginger and turmeric crops.