India expected to see above normal rainfall in September: IMD

India is likely to witness above normal rainfall in September, except in certain areas such as the extreme northwest, parts of the southern peninsula, northern Bihar, northeastern Uttar Pradesh, and most of northeast India, where below normal rainfall is anticipated, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Following a wetter-than-usual August, the IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in northwest India and nearby regions in September.

The IMD's Director General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, announced in a virtual press conference that the country is expected to receive rainfall at 109% of the long-period average of 167.9 mm for the month.

Regions likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall include Uttarakhand, parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and adjoining areas of Madhya Pradesh. Mohapatra cautioned about the potential risks of floods, landslides, mudslides, and landslips due to episodes of extremely heavy rainfall in these areas.

He also mentioned that a low-pressure system is expected to develop over the Bay of Bengal each week throughout September, bringing significant rainfall across the country.

The monsoon trough is predicted to remain in its normal position, with multiple low-pressure systems forming in the Bay of Bengal and possibly moving west-northwest toward Rajasthan. Additionally, there is a chance that the trough could shift toward the Himalayan foothills, and a western disturbance may impact the region later in the month.