Heavy rain is forecast at isolated places over coastal Odisha on September 21.

Chhattisgarh is also expected to see isolated heavy rainfall.

West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand are among the states covered by the rain alert.

In Ranchi, showers and thunderstorms are likely, with a maximum near 32 degrees Celsius.

People are advised to avoid open fields during thunderstorms.

Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema and parts of Karnataka may also see thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.

Winds of 40 to 50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are expected in the affected regions.

Over the east-central and adjoining north-east Bay of Bengal, winds of 45 to 55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are expected.

Kerala could receive heavy showers over the next few days, and a yellow alert has been issued in parts of the state.

A yellow alert for Kerala indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall in the range of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.

Heavy rain is forecast at isolated places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and coastal Odisha, and isolated heavy rainfall is forecast over Chhattisgarh.

In Jharkhand, Ranchi is expected to see one or two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with a maximum near 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum near 23 degrees.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal where strong winds are forecast.

People in affected areas are advised to avoid open fields, trees and electric poles during thunderstorms and to check local bulletins before travelling.

The wet spell comes as the southwest monsoon enters its withdrawal phase, although active weather continues over southern and eastern India.

The India Meteorological Department has issued rain and thunderstorm warnings for around 13 states for Monday, September 21, 2026.

The states named include Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Konkan and Goa, and parts of the Northeast.

Monsoon clouds in Bengal, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Gangetic West Bengal on Sunday, September 20.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also expected to see heavy to very heavy rain.

Thunderstorms and lightning are forecast over sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar.

Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to check local bulletins.

The active southwest monsoon is driving the wet spell over eastern India.

Reports counting the states affected by rain, thunderstorms and strong winds on Sunday put the number at 18, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.

Strong surface winds are very likely over parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while Tamil Nadu may see gusts of 40 to 50 kmph with isolated heavy rain.

Winds of up to 60 to 65 kmph are possible in vulnerable areas, according to a forecast summary.

Delhi-NCR is forecast to see rain and thunderstorms with winds of about 30 to 40 kmph, with a maximum temperature near 34 degrees Celsius and a minimum near 24 degrees Celsius.

Lucknow is expected to reach about 34 degrees Celsius with a minimum near 26 degrees, and rain in Uttar Pradesh may extend into September 21.

Patna is forecast to see a maximum of about 34 degrees Celsius and a minimum near 27 degrees Celsius, with widespread thunderstorms across Bihar.

Heavy rain in hilly areas may cause landslides and disrupt travel, and lightning and hail are possible in the hills.

The overall pattern is driven by an active southwest monsoon over central, eastern and southern India during the season’s withdrawal phase.

The weather department advises people to avoid open fields, trees and electric poles during thunderstorms and to check local bulletins before travelling.

The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Sunday, September 20, for parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Telangana.

Rain clouds during the monsoon in Goa (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

The weather department has put all 24 districts of Jharkhand under a thunderstorm and lightning alert until September 20.

Light to moderate rain is expected across the state, and some places could see heavy showers during the three days.

Wind speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are anticipated, with southern and central districts most likely to feel the stronger gusts.

Temperatures will stay steady, with highs around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius and a Ranchi minimum near 22 degrees Celsius.

People are advised to stay indoors or in sturdy shelter when lightning is nearby and to keep away from trees and electric poles.

Maximum temperatures are likely to stay around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius, while the minimum in Ranchi is expected near 22 degrees Celsius.

Light to moderate rainfall is forecast across the state, with heavy showers possible at several locations during the three-day period.

Residents are advised to avoid standing in open fields, under trees or near electric poles while thunderstorms and lightning are active.

Farmers and outdoor workers have been urged to take shelter in sturdy buildings when lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Ranchi recorded about 18 mm of rain on Tuesday, according to reported weather data, while Simdega logged 5 mm and Deoghar 3 mm.

The rainy spell arrives as the southwest monsoon begins its gradual withdrawal phase across India, though active weather can persist in the east for days.

The plateau districts around Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and Lohardaga are likely to feel relatively pleasant because of cloud cover and rain.

Lightning is a leading cause of weather-related deaths in Jharkhand, which is why the meteorological office repeats safety advice during every thunderstorm alert.

The alert period runs from September 18 to September 20, 2026, and covers every one of Jharkhand’s 24 districts.

Ranchi lake, Jharkhand (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0