India divided into two by clouds: Isro satellite captures strange view from space

An Isro weather satellite image has shown a stark split in cloud cover across India. The view comes as the southwest monsoon begins withdrawing while other systems continue shaping rainfall.

In Short

• INSAT-3DS captured thermal infrared imagery on Friday, September 25, showing contrasts
• Bright cloud mass stretched from Bay of Bengal into eastern regions
• Southern peninsula and adjoining oceanic areas also showed notable cloud bands

India's weather has taken a striking turn, with a new satellite image from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) showing a dramatic contrast in cloud cover across the country, as thick clouds blanket large parts of eastern and southern India while western and northwestern regions remain relatively clear.

The image, captured by India's INSAT-3DS weather satellite on Friday, September 25, shows an unusual division in atmospheric conditions over the Indian subcontinent, with extensive cloud formations stretching across eastern India, the Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions.

The satellite image, captured using its thermal infrared channel at a wavelength of 10.83 micrometres, offers a view of cloud distribution across India and neighbouring countries.

The most prominent feature is a broad, bright cloud mass extending from the Bay of Bengal across eastern and northeastern India, with additional cloud bands visible over the southern peninsula and adjoining oceanic regions.

In contrast, much of western and northwestern India appears relatively cloud-free, creating a sharp visual divide between the two regions.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE UNUSUAL CLOUD DIVIDE?

The image captures conditions at a time when the southwest monsoon is entering its withdrawal phase over parts of India, while atmospheric systems continue to influence rainfall across different regions.

Cloud formations over eastern India and the Bay of Bengal can be associated with moisture-laden winds, low-pressure systems and other atmospheric disturbances. However, the satellite image alone cannot establish the precise weather system responsible for the observed pattern.

The INSAT-3DS satellite is part of India's meteorological satellite programme and provides observations of clouds, atmospheric temperature, humidity and other weather parameters.

Its thermal infrared instrument detects radiation emitted by Earth and the atmosphere, allowing meteorologists to observe cloud patterns even at night.

The satellite's observations are used by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for weather forecasting, monitoring severe weather and tracking atmospheric systems.

The image highlights how dramatically cloud cover can vary across India at a single point in time, as different atmospheric conditions influence the country's weather.

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