Weather today September 23: IMD issues red alert; check which states are likely to see heavy rain

India's weather on September 23 is set to remain dominated by a Deep Depression over the Bay of Bengal, with extremely heavy rainfall expected in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and neighbouring regions. The system is moving towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast and is very likely to cross between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by the night of September 23.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast extremely heavy rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds in several areas. Rain activity is also expected across West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Vidarbha and other parts of eastern and central India. Here's the state-wise weather forecast and alert picture for September 23.

Red alert for extremely heavy rain

Andhra Pradesh weather today

Coastal Andhra Pradesh remains at the centre of the weather system as the Deep Depression moves towards the coast. IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall for September 23, along with thunderstorms and strong surface winds. Very heavy rain is likely to continue on September 24, followed by heavy rain on September 25.

The system was located close to the Andhra Pradesh coast on September 22 evening and is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast by the night of September 23. Coastal areas may also experience rough to very rough seas and squally winds.

Odisha weather today

Odisha is another major focus area as the Deep Depression approaches the coast. IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy falls during the period around September 23-24.

The Odisha coast is also expected to experience strong winds and thunderstorms. The coastal weather bulletin has warned of rough to very rough seas, while south Odisha could see very rough to high sea conditions.

Odisha had already recorded significant rainfall, with Bhubaneswar-Cuttack receiving 27 cm in the 24 hours ending on September 22 evening.

Telangana weather today

Telangana is also facing an extremely heavy rainfall threat. IMD's latest subdivision warning has forecast extremely heavy rain on September 23 and 24, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds. Very heavy rain is expected on September 25 and 26.

Parts of Telangana have also been included in IMD's flash-flood risk assessment, particularly where intense rain falls over already saturated ground.

Chhattisgarh weather today

Chhattisgarh is another state to watch as the weather system moves inland. IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls, particularly around September 23-24.

The state is also among the areas where localised flooding and waterlogging could become a concern if intense rainfall persists.

Orange alert and very heavy rain

West Bengal weather today

West Bengal is likely to see widespread rainfall and thunderstorms as the weather system affects eastern India. IMD has forecast heavy rain over Gangetic West Bengal on September 23, with the possibility of very heavy rain on September 24.

Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also under a heavy-rain warning on September 23 and 24, with very heavy rainfall possible on September 25.

Bihar weather today

Bihar's rain activity is expected to increase as the system moves further inland. IMD has forecast heavy rain around September 23, followed by very heavy rainfall during the following days.

The weather system could keep eastern India wet through the latter part of the week, with Bihar continuing to feature in the wider rain forecast.

Jharkhand weather today

Jharkhand is also expected to receive rain and thunderstorms as the eastern India weather system progresses. The state is among the areas forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period.

Residents in low-lying areas may need to watch for waterlogging during intense spells.

Vidarbha weather today

Vidarbha is expected to receive heavy rain and thunderstorms on September 23. IMD has forecast very heavy rainfall for September 24 and 25, followed by heavy rain on September 26.

The rain spell could therefore continue across Vidarbha for several days rather than being limited to September 23.

Yellow alert and heavy rain warning

Several other parts of the country are also expected to receive heavy rain, although the intensity and timing vary.

The wider IMD forecast includes Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim among regions that could see significant rainfall during the forecast period.

In many of these areas, the main concerns are thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds and localised waterlogging rather than the coastal conditions expected near the Deep Depression.

Delhi weather today

Delhi is not under a major rainfall warning in the latest IMD subdivision forecast. Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi have no warning for September 23-25 in the current seven-day warning outlook.

The forecast therefore remains considerably different from the situation along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast. Isolated rain could return later in the forecast period, but Delhi is not among the main areas facing the September 23 extreme-rain event.

Deep Depression over Bay of Bengal

The Deep Depression over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwestwards towards the coast. At 5.30 pm on September 22, it was centred around 140 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and 150 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.

IMD expects the system to cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by the night of September 23.

Along the north Andhra coast, squally winds could reach 25-30 knots, gusting up to 40 knots. Odisha's south coast could see cyclonic winds of 30-35 knots, gusting up to 45 knots.

The combination of extreme rainfall, strong winds and rough seas makes the coastal belt the main area of concern on September 23, while the rain system is expected to keep several parts of eastern and central India wet over the following days.