The remnants of Typhoon Yagi, now downgraded to a tropical depression, are advancing towards India and may merge with an existing system near Odisha, potentially amplifying the monsoon rains across the country.
Typhoon Yagi, a devastating force that struck northern Vietnam with winds exceeding 149 km/h, caused significant damage upon landfall on Saturday. Weakened but still active, Yagi continues its westward journey, passing through Myanmar and Bangladesh. The tropical depression it has become could intersect with a deep depression currently over the Bay of Bengal near Odisha, which is also moving west.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation as forecasting models suggest a possible convergence of the two systems. The merging of Yagi’s remnants with the depression could result in intensified rainfall across central India. However, experts are divided on the potential outcomes of this interaction.
Mahesh Palawat, vice president of climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather, indicated that while a merger could lead to a low-pressure area rather than a severe storm, it would likely increase rainfall in North India, where the monsoon is already active. Conversely, an anonymous source from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggested that such events are uncommon and that the intensity of Yagi’s remnants may diminish upon merging.
IMD Director General M. Mohapatra highlighted the lack of consensus among climate models regarding the merger and its impacts. He noted that while the systems are not currently close enough to merge, the ongoing situation will keep the monsoon season active with frequent rainfall.
The IMD has reported that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the Odisha coast and move northwestwards, eventually weakening. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecasted for parts of Odisha, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh over the next two days.
Since June 1, India has experienced an overall 8% excess in rainfall, with central India and the South Peninsula seeing 17% and 26% more rainfall, respectively. In contrast, the east and northeast regions have experienced a 15% deficiency. The IMD has predicted a rainier-than-normal September, with potential for flash floods, landslides, and other weather-related hazards, following a wetter-than-normal August.
Sources By Agencies