Monsoon to intensify across India on Friday: IMD warns of heavy showers

The southwest monsoon is set for another active day on Friday, August 14, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rain across several parts of the country and very heavy to extremely heavy showers in pockets of central, eastern and northern India.The forecast comes as a depression over coastal West Bengal continues to move west-northwestwards, strengthening rainfall activity across a broad belt.The system was centred about 20 km south-southeast of Kolkata at 11:30 am on August 13 and is expected to move across Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. Women walk on a road during heavy rain. (Photo: PTI) HEAVY RAINS TO LASH CENTRAL, EASTERN INDIAThe biggest rainfall threat on August 14 is expected over Chhattisgarh, where the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rainfall possible at isolated places. Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha are also likely to see heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.The IMD's broader forecast indicates that the depression will continue to influence rainfall over these regions even as it moves inland. The weather system has already produced intense rain.In the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on August 13, Bhograi in Odisha recorded 24 cm, while Durgachack in West Bengal also received 24 cm. A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD) DELHI-NCR, NORTH INDIA TO BE RAIN HOTSPOTSThe monsoon activity will not be limited to the east and centre.The IMD has forecast heavy rain at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan on August 14.For Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, isolated very heavy rainfall is also possible.The IMD expects fairly widespread to widespread rainfall to continue over much of the western Himalayan region through the coming days. Commuters make their way amid heavy rain. (Photo: PTI) WHY IS MONSOON BECOMING ACTIVE AGAIN?The depression over West Bengal is one of the main drivers behind Friday's intense rainfall. Such systems draw moisture from surrounding areas and can produce widespread rain as they travel inland.The latest IMD outlook suggests that the wet spell will not end on August 14.Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are likely to see heavy rain at isolated places through August 19, while parts of central and eastern India will continue to receive significant rainfall over the next several days.For August 14, therefore, the monsoon map remains firmly tilted towards widespread rain, with pockets of intense downpours across several states.- EndsPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 19:30 IST