India weather update: IMD issues nationwide alert for thunderstorms, rain, gusty winds

Rain in New Delhi on Friday. File Pic/ PTI

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a nationwide alert, predicting widespread thunderstorms, rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds across several regions in the coming days.

In its latest bulletin, the agency highlighted intensified weather activity over eastern, central, and northeastern India, warning of heavy rain, thundersqualls, and possible hailstorms, reported ANI.

According to the IMD, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to witness widespread rainfall between March 21 and 24, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on March 21. Thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching up to 80 kmph are expected in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, while Odisha may experience winds gusting up to 70 kmph along with possible hailstorm activity.

In Northeast India, fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected over Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, while isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh on March 24. East and Central India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, are also expected to receive scattered rainfall accompanied by strong winds over the next few days.

Northwest India is set to experience a fresh wet spell, with light to moderate rainfall and snowfall forecast over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on March 23. East Uttar Pradesh may witness fairly widespread rainfall, with gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph.

Intermittent rainfall likely in Delhi this evening, says IMD

Speaking to ANI on Friday, IMD scientist Akhil Shrivastava said, "Large-scale thunderstorm activity is currently being witnessed across India. In Delhi, rainfall occurred yesterday, resulting in a significant drop in maximum temperatures. Our forecast indicates that similar intermittent rainfall is likely during the evening hours today. However, this activity is expected to subside in Delhi from tomorrow, with the probability of rain decreasing thereafter."

"While conditions are mainly cloudy today, they are expected to become partly cloudy tomorrow. Compared to yesterday, a slight further decline of about 2-3 degrees Celsius may be observed in maximum temperatures today. Nevertheless, temperatures are expected to begin rising again after tomorrow," he added.

Shrivastava further noted that an ‘Orange Alert' has been issued for regions including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal due to expected thunderstorms, gusty winds, and possible hailstorms. "Wind speeds in eastern India may reach 60 to 70 kmph, posing potential risks," he said.

Meanwhile, southern states and parts of Maharashtra are also expected to receive scattered rainfall, even as hot and humid conditions may prevail over Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and Goa.

(With ANI inputs)