NEW DELHI, Feb 18: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning for 13 states due to a cyclonic circulation currently positioned over the Bay of Bengal. The weather system, located over northeast Assam in the lower tropospheric levels, is expected to bring thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall to several regions in Northeast India over the coming days.

The IMD has forecast significant rainfall activity in several northeastern states. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will experience scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall from February 17 to February 23, with heavy rainfall expected on February 19. Other states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, are expected to see isolated to scattered light rainfall during the same period.

Thunderstorm and lightning activity will intensify from February 18 to February 20, with gusty winds of 30-40 km/h expected in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura on February 19.

Western Disturbance to Bring Rainfall and Snowfall to Northern India

A separate Western Disturbance is also affecting northern and western parts of India. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad will receive light rainfall and snowfall between February 17-18, with thunderstorms and lightning expected on February 19-20. As the disturbance moves eastward, light rainfall and thunderstorms are anticipated in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand on February 19-20.

Western India is expected to experience isolated light rainfall in West Rajasthan on February 19. Punjab and Haryana will see light rainfall from February 19-20, while East Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh are also likely to experience similar weather conditions during the same period. Additionally, Chhattisgarh will have light rainfall between February 21-22.