Key points
- Monsoon withdrawal has begun from parts of northwest India, yet a fresh Bay of Bengal system is driving rain over Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Western Uttar Pradesh stays hot and dry, while Purvanchal may see scattered thundershowers between September 26–29.
- Yellow alert issued for heavy rain in southern Jharkhand; Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, and Bokaro likely to see intense spells from September 24–26.
- Bihar districts including Patna, Gaya, Supaul, Kaimur, Rohtas, and Aurangabad may receive heavy rain with lightning risk.
- Temperatures in Jharkhand may dip by 2–3°C in coming days; gusty winds could accompany showers.
- Mixed weather is causing heat stress in West UP and waterlogging or thunderstorm hazards in parts of East India.
New Delhi: Even as the southwest monsoon begins its formal retreat from parts of northwest India, the activation of a new low-pressure/cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal has revived rain over eastern states, creating a split-screen weather pattern across the country. This leads to hot, dry conditions in the northwest and center, with renewed thunderstorm activity from Odisha to Jharkhand and Bihar. The result is surprise and localized distress: heat in some belts, and heavy showers with lightning and gusty winds in others.
Uttar Pradesh: heat west, showers east
Western Uttar Pradesh remains largely cloud-free, pushing daytime maximums above 35°C under strong sunshine and dry northerly to northwesterly flows. Purvanchal districts such as Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, and Mau are in line for scattered, short-duration thundershowers and lightning, most likely in the late afternoon to evening window. No statewide heavy-rain warning is flagged at present, but light, intermittent showers are possible across pockets in both east and west UP between September 26 and 29.
Bihar and Jharkhand: alerts and heavy rain window
Monsoon activity has strengthened again over Jharkhand and Bihar as the Bay system steers moisture-laden winds inland. A yellow alert covers southern Jharkhand districts including East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Simdega, and Saraikela-Kharsawan, where brief heavy spells and thunder are likely. Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, and Bokaro may see periods of heavy rain from September 24–26, with localized waterlogging and brief traffic disruption possible. In Bihar, torrential rain potential extends to Patna, Gaya, Supaul, Kaimur, Rohtas, and Aurangabad, alongside a lightning advisory urging extra caution in open fields and elevated areas.
What’s driving the flip
The key driver is a fresh circulation/low over the Bay of Bengal that is feeding moisture into the monsoon trough and enhancing convergence across eastern India. With monsoon withdrawal lines edging west-northwest, eastern belts remain in the moisture plume, leading to thunderstorm clusters, squally winds, and sharp, localized downpours. As cloud cover builds, Jharkhand’s daytime temperatures are set to ease by 2–3°C, though brief heat-and-humidity spikes can occur before storms.
Impact and advisories
- Heat and UV: West UP residents should avoid peak-afternoon exposure, hydrate adequately, and monitor heat index impacts on vulnerable groups.
- Thunderstorms and lightning: In Bihar and Jharkhand, seek sturdy shelter during thunder, avoid metal objects and lone trees, and delay outdoor work until 30 minutes after the last thunder.
- Urban waterlogging: Low-lying city stretches in Ranchi, Patna, Gaya, Hazaribagh, and Bokaro may face short-lived waterlogging; commuters should plan buffers for peak-hour showers.
- Agriculture: Kharif-stage paddy and maize fields in Jharkhand and Bihar may benefit from soil-moisture recharge; however, farmers should ensure drainage to prevent lodging and nutrient leaching.
- Wind safety: Secure loose outdoor items; brief gusts around storms can down small branches and disrupt power in vulnerable feeders.
District-wise snapshot
- Uttar Pradesh: West UP dry and hot; Purvanchal (Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Mau) prone to scattered thundershowers, mainly September 26–29.
- Jharkhand: Yellow alert in East/West Singhbhum, Simdega, Saraikela-Kharsawan; heavy rain risk for Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, Bokaro from September 24–26.
- Bihar: Heavy rain and lightning possible in Patna, Gaya, Supaul, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, with typical late-day thunderstorm timing.
