North, central India to go dry as rain turns focus to the South on Sunday

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across parts of southern India on Sunday, October 18, with thunderstorms and gusty winds also expected in several regions across the country.In its latest weather bulletin issued on Saturday, October 17, the IMD said isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.HEAVY RAINFALL LIKELY IN SOUTHERN STATESThe weather department has forecast heavy rain at isolated places across parts of southern India on October 18. Commuters navigate a waterlogged road amid heavy rain in Chennai. (Photo: PTI) Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to see fairly widespread rainfall, while Kerala and South Interior Karnataka are also likely to receive rain across several areas. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, are also likely to experience heavy rainfall on Sunday.The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning over Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. The weather activity is expected to persist beyond Sunday.Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to receive fairly widespread rainfall through October 23, while Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep are also expected to see sustained rainfall during the week. A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD) THUNDERSTORMS, GUSTY WINDS IN OTHER REGIONSThunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph are likely at isolated places over Andhra Pradesh, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on October 18.East Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Interior Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana may also experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph. Strong surface winds are likely at isolated places over Andhra Pradesh.The IMD has forecast no significant weather activity across northwest, central, eastern and northeastern India during the week, although isolated rainfall may occur in some areas. Commuters navigate a waterlogged road amid heavy rain during the northeast monsoon, in Tamil Nadu. (Photo: PTI) WHY IS SOUTHERN INDIA SEEING MORE RAIN?The IMD's meteorological analysis points to a cyclonic circulation over north Tamil Nadu and adjoining south Coastal Andhra Pradesh, along with another circulation over northern parts of Lakshadweep.A trough extending from Lakshadweep towards the southwest Bay of Bengal, across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is also in place.These weather systems are supporting continued rainfall across southern India.The IMD's forecast indicates that the region will remain the main focus of rain activity over the coming days, even as much of northwest and central India is expected to remain dry.- Ends