The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued contrasting weather alerts across the country, forecasting a spell of warm and dry weather for North India, including Delhi, while simultaneously sounding a Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat.
The severe warning in the West is driven by the movement of a weather system, which is set to bring torrential downpours, increasing the risk of waterlogging and potential flash floods in the affected areas.
Red Alert in Saurashtra & Kutch
A significant weather system is currently tracking across North Madhya Maharashtra and South Gujarat, moving towards the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. The IMD has issued a Red Alert for isolated Extremely Heavy Rainfall in parts of the Saurashtra and Kutch region, specifically for areas like Amreli, Gir Somnath, and Diu, with the severe weather expected to peak around September 29th and continue with heavy to very heavy falls through September 30th.
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Gujarat Region: An Orange Alert is in place for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the Gujarat Region, Konkan & Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra.
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Impact: Residents in these regions are advised to Take Action, which includes staying indoors, avoiding low-lying areas, and following all government advisories due to the high likelihood of severe disruption, including flooding and traffic snarls.
Delhi Weather: Warm and Dry Spell
In sharp contrast to the western coastal region, the national capital and surrounding areas of North India will continue to experience dry and warmer-than-normal weather as the monsoon withdrawal line has already passed through parts of the region.
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Temperature Trend: Delhi's maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35∘C to 36∘C, which is slightly above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature is likely to be around 26∘C.
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Rainfall: Skies are largely forecast to remain clear or partly cloudy. While a spell of very light rain or drizzle is possible around September 30th and October 1st, no significant rainfall is predicted for the immediate future.
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Outlook: The weather will remain conducive for outdoor activities, but the daytime warmth will persist. Air Quality Index (AQI) remains a point of concern, registering in the 'Moderate' to 'Poor' categories in some areas.State-Wise Weather Forecast Highlights:
| Region | Primary Alert / Condition | Key Forecast Details |
| Gujarat (Saurashtra-Kutch) | Red Alert (Extremely Heavy Rain) | Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall likely from Sept 29th-30th. Flood and major disruption risk is high. |
| Maharashtra (Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra) | Orange Alert (Very Heavy Rain) | Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall expected, with isolated extremely heavy falls in North Konkan (including Mumbai). |
| North India (Delhi, Punjab, Haryana) | Warm and Dry | Clear skies with maximum temperatures above normal. Monsoon withdrawal is underway. |
| East India (Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal) | Light to Moderate Rain/Thunderstorms | Scattered rainfall with isolated heavy falls expected over parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Bihar in the first week of October. |
| Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, etc.) | Moderate Rain/Heavy Rain Alert | Light to moderate rainfall at many places. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram-Tripura, and parts of Assam-Meghalaya. |
| South India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka) | Scattered Rainfall | Light to moderate rain/thunderstorms at many places. Isolated heavy rainfall possible over Coastal & North Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana on isolated days. Export to Sheets |
The IMD advises residents, especially in Red and Orange alert zones, to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel. The stark contrast in weather patterns across the country is characteristic of the ongoing transition period as the Southwest Monsoon retreats.