India is seeing a sharp regional shift in monsoon activity, with satellite imagery showing much of the country relatively free of widespread cloud cover while the eastern region continues to experience significant rainfall. At the same time, flooding has affected around 27 lakh people across 13 districts of Bihar, while parts of the Western Ghats have recorded exceptionally high rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over East India during the next three to four days, indicating that rainfall activity is likely to remain concentrated over the eastern and northeastern parts of the country even as conditions become comparatively drier elsewhere.
Satellite Images Show Major Shift in Cloud Cover
Recent IMD satellite imagery shows a marked reduction in cloud cover over large parts of India, particularly across northwestern and central regions.
The satellite picture is being viewed as an indication of the changing distribution of monsoon activity. However, reduced cloud cover alone should not be interpreted as the official withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. The timing and extent of monsoon withdrawal are determined by IMD's established criteria and forecasts.
The latest IMD information continues to show rainfall warnings for Bihar, with heavy rain forecast on September 8, 9 and 10, followed by thunderstorm and lightning warnings on subsequent days.
Bihar Floods Affect Around 27 Lakh People
Flood conditions remain a major concern in Bihar, where overflowing rivers have affected approximately 27 lakh people across 13 districts.
The Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Punpun and Bagmati are among the rivers contributing to the difficult situation. Authorities have intensified relief and rescue operations in affected areas.
According to officials cited by The New Indian Express, 190 community kitchens were operating in flood-hit districts and 1,429 boats had been deployed for relief and rescue operations. The Ganga has also crossed danger levels at several locations, prompting authorities to maintain close surveillance of vulnerable areas.
The situation remained fluid on September 8, with reports indicating that water levels had begun falling at some locations while several rivers continued to flow above danger levels.
Death Toll Reported at 20
The flooding has also resulted in fatalities.
Reports on September 8 put the officially confirmed death toll at 20, although the flood situation continues to evolve as water spreads into additional villages and low-lying areas.
In Bhagalpur and other flood-affected districts, authorities are continuing rescue, food distribution and monitoring operations.
IMD Warns of More Rain in Bihar
The weather threat has not ended despite the changing cloud pattern over much of the country.
The IMD's Patna centre has forecast heavy rainfall in Bihar on September 8, 9 and 10. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected during the following days.
This means that additional rainfall could complicate flood management, particularly in areas where rivers are already flowing close to or above danger levels.
Maharashtra's Western Ghats Continue to See Heavy Rain
While central and northwestern India are seeing reduced widespread cloud cover, the Western Ghats remain among the country's wetter regions.
The Amboli region of Maharashtra has been highlighted for exceptionally high seasonal rainfall. However, claims that Amboli has definitively received more rainfall than Cherrapunji should be treated carefully unless the comparison uses the same measurement period, station and methodology.
IMD's Mumbai centre continues to record significant rainfall across parts of Maharashtra, with the September 8 bulletin showing measurable rainfall at several stations and very high humidity in the Western Ghats.
Monsoon Activity Becoming More Uneven
The latest weather pattern illustrates how uneven India's monsoon can become during the later part of the season.
While rainfall has weakened across some parts of the country, eastern India continues to face heavy-rain threats. The IMD has separately indicated that rainfall activity is likely to remain subdued over peninsular India during the coming week.
For flood-hit Bihar, however, the immediate concern remains river levels and additional rainfall rather than the broader question of monsoon withdrawal.
With heavy rainfall forecast over Bihar in the coming days, authorities and residents in vulnerable districts will need to continue monitoring river levels, embankments and local weather alerts.
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