The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive nationwide weather warning, detailing forecasts for various regions across the country. A low-pressure area is anticipated to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 11, potentially intensifying rainfall activity over southern and eastern parts of India. This outlook includes thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and heatwave conditions in different areas over the coming week.
Northwest India Braces for Storms
Northwest India is expected to experience a fresh wave of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, with speeds reaching 40-60 kmph, between May 11 and May 14. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are likely to receive scattered rainfall, with higher elevations possibly seeing snowfall during this period. Isolated hailstorm activity is also predicted for these northern states.
Further south in the northwest, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh are forecast to receive light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds during the same timeframe. Delhi-NCR may also witness rain and thunderstorm activity starting May 11, offering a temporary respite from rising temperatures.
Heavy Rains Expected in Northeast and East
The weather office has warned of widespread rain, thunderstorms, and lightning across the northeastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, through mid-May. Assam and Meghalaya are particularly vulnerable to very heavy rainfall on May 14 and 15, while Arunachal Pradesh could experience isolated heavy showers between May 12 and 15.
In eastern India, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal are expected to face thunderstorms and thundersqualls, with wind speeds potentially reaching up to 70 kmph in isolated areas. Hailstorms are also a possibility over Bihar and Jharkhand.
South India Under Prolonged Wet Spell
Southern states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, are projected to remain under a prolonged wet spell for the next seven days. The IMD forecasts scattered thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall across these regions, with isolated very heavy rainfall likely on May 14 and 15.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and parts of Karnataka may also receive rain accompanied by gusty winds in the coming days. Lakshadweep is additionally expected to experience heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and strong winds.
Western India Endures Heatwave
While many states prepare for rain and storms, heatwave conditions are anticipated to persist over West Rajasthan and Gujarat until May 15. West Madhya Pradesh may also experience heatwave conditions on May 12 and 13. The IMD has further warned of warm night conditions over West Rajasthan and hot and humid weather over Konkan and Goa. Maximum temperatures across northwest and central India are generally expected to rise gradually by 3-5 degrees Celsius over the next few days.