New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe weather alert, predicting substantial rainfall across extensive areas of India in the upcoming week. The advisory, published on Sunday, indicates that significant weather disturbances are anticipated in both coastal and northeastern regions of the country from May 18 to May 24.
The western coast, which includes Karnataka, Konkan, Goa, and Kerala, along with nearby regions of Peninsular India, is preparing for heavy downpours during this period. These locations are expected to experience continuous rainfall, raising alarms about localized flooding and waterlogging.
The IMD forecast suggests that heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms and lightning, is likely to affect Northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim over the next 5-6 days. Gusty winds, with speeds ranging from 30 to 50 kmph, are predicted to impact these areas, heightening the risk of tree falls and minor structural damage. In Delhi, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph, potentially peaking at 50 kmph during thunderstorms.
The anticipated maximum temperature is projected to be between 38-40°C, while the minimum temperature is expected to fall between 27-29°C. In Southern India, isolated heavy rainfall is forecasted across several states, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal from May 18 to 20; Kerala, Mahe, Coastal Karnataka, and North Interior Karnataka from May 18 to 24; Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from May 20-22; Rayalaseema from May 18-20; and South Interior Karnataka from May 18-21.
Furthermore, regions such as Coastal Karnataka from May 20-22, South Interior Karnataka from May 18-20, and North Interior Karnataka from May 19-22 are predicted to receive very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rainfall anticipated in Coastal Karnataka on May 20. In Northeast India, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Arunachal Pradesh from May 18-20, Assam and Meghalaya from May 18-24, and Tripura and Nagaland on May 18.
Assam and Meghalaya may also see isolated very heavy rainfall during May 18-20. The IMD has issued warnings for thunder squalls with wind speeds of 50-60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h, affecting Konkan and Goa from May 20-23, as well as Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada throughout the week. In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, isolated hailstorms are likely on May 19, with additional light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from May 18 to 20.
Lastly, the latest IMD bulletin indicates that states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh are likely to experience severe heatwave conditions from May 16 to May 22, with heatwave alerts for West Rajasthan from May 16-22, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir on May 16 and 17, and North Madhya Pradesh on May 18 and 19.
