Heavy rains are likely to lash several parts of India leading the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert in several districts of West Bengal, Odisha and Kerala. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued in districts along the western coast of the nation.

West Bengal & Odisha

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported the development of a low-pressure system over the east-central and adjacent northeast Bay of Bengal, which is expected to bring substantial rainfall to neighbouring states over the upcoming weekend.

It is anticipated to intensify further, becoming a well-defined low-pressure area, and move in a northwestward direction toward northern Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal. This weather system is poised to bring heavy rainfall to Gangetic West Bengal on both September 29 and September 30, as per the Thursday announcement.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow alert warning residents to "be updated" for heavy rainfall, ranging from 7 to 11 cm, in certain areas of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak on Friday.

Furthermore, the forecast includes the likelihood of thunderstorms with lightning in several places, encompassing Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, and Ganjam.

Kerala

Several parts of Kerala are reporting waterlogging and traffic snarls after overnight rain lashed the state. Incessant rains coupled with gusty winds have been reported in Kerala since Thursday (September 28) night.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning in 10 districts, namely Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds along with heavy rains between 6 to 11 cm are expected over the next two days, the IMD added.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has forecast isolated heavy rains in various locations, urging residents in highland and coastal areas to remain vigilant. Continuous downpours have caused flooding in low-lying areas and led to traffic congestion, even in regions like Thiruvananthapuram, which do not have specific weather warnings in effect.

Western Coast

An orange alert has been issued in some districts along the western coast of India. This warning spans the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka and includes the following districts: Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, North Goa, South Goa, Uttar Kannada, Udupi and Dakshin Kannada.

The weather department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. This along with strong surface winds have also been forecasted for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the east.

With agency inputs.