MADHYA Pradesh is set for a powerful final spell of the monsoon. A fresh weather system brewing in the Bay of Bengal is poised to bring heavy to very heavy rain across the state from September 24. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area is forming over the North Andaman Sea and adjoining areas. It is likely to intensify into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal on September 21 and further strengthen into a deep depression over the west-central Bay on September 22. The system will move west-north-westwards and reach near the South Odisha North Andhra Pradesh coasts by the morning of September 23.

 

Its impact will be felt in Madhya Pradesh from September 23, with moisture incursion and widespread thunder showers. IMD has issued a heavy rain warning from September 24 for Vindhya, Mahakoshal and Narmadapuram divisions. Districts on high alert include Chhatarpur, Satna, Damoh, Dindori, Seoni, Chhindwara and Pandhurna, along with Narmadapuram, Betul and Harda. This late surge comes as the state has already received 90.9% of its seasonal quota with 33.9 inches recorded. With this system, MP is likely to cross its average before withdrawal, delaying the monsoon retreat which was scheduled to begin from September 19.