Southwest monsoon to arrive in Kerala on May 26; heatwave tightens grip on north and central India

The India Meteorological Department IMD on Friday announced that the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala around May 26 with a model error of four daysThe advance of the southwest monsoon over the Indian mainland is marked by monsoon onset over Kerala and is an important indicator characterising the transition from the hot and dry season to the rainy season As the monsoon progresses northwards relief from scorching summer temperatures is experienced over the areas Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven daysIMD said its operational forecasts during the past 21 years 20052025 were proved to be correct except in 2015Conditions are already favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal Andaman Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands within the next 24 hours the weather bureau saidIn its latest press release IMD highlighted that while the monsoon is progressing normally large parts of northwest and central India will continue to reel under heatwave to severe heat wave conditions for the coming weekRecent weather highlights Past 24 hoursHeavy to extremely heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places over SubHimalayan West Bengal Arunachal Pradesh Coastal and North Interior Karnataka Assam and Meghalaya BP Ghat in Assam and Meghalaya recorded a massive 27 cm of rainfallThunderstorms with squallygusty winds 5075 kilometre per hour lashed many areas including Rajasthan Punjab JammuKashmirLadakh Chhattisgarh and Gujarat Winds of 3050 kmph were reported across several other statesHailstorm was reported in isolated pockets of PunjabHeatwave conditions prevailed in isolated pockets over Saurashtra and Kutch West Rajasthan South Madhya Pradesh and adjoining interior Maharashtra The highest maximum temperature of 459 degrees Celsius was recorded at Akola MaharashtraSevenday outlookRainfall and thunderstormsNortheast India will see scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall especially over Assam and Meghalaya including isolated very heavy rain over south Assam on Friday Arunachal Pradesh and SubHimalayan West Bengal and SikkimSouth Peninsular India Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu Puducherry Kerala and Mahe and South Interior Karnataka in the next threefour days Very heavy rain expected at isolated places in Kerala and Mahe on FridayScattered thunderstorms with gusty winds 4050 kmph will affect Kerala Coastal Andhra Pradesh Karnataka and other southern regionsHeatwave conditionsHeatwave to severe heatwave is likely over West Rajasthan severe during May 1821 Uttar Pradesh Punjab Haryana Delhi Madhya Pradesh Vidarbha Chhattisgarh and parts of Maharashtra and GujaratGradual rise in maximum temperatures is expected over Western Himalayas and plains of northwest IndiaDelhiNCR forecastMay 15 Partly cloudy with a spell of very light to light rainthunderstorm and strong winds 4050 kmph gusting to 60 kmph in the eveningnight Maximum temperatures are likely to hover around 4042 degrees CelsiusTemperatures will gradually rise reaching 4244 degrees Celsius by May 18 with strong surface windsFishermen warningIMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the Bay of Bengal Gulf of Mannar Comorin area south and eastcentral Bay and Arabian Sea off Kerala Karnataka Lakshadweep and Somalia coast till May 20 due to rough seas and strong windsImpact and advisoriesThunderstormssqualls Risk of tree damage power lines and injury from hail IMD has advised people to stay indoors avoid open areas and water bodiesHeavy rainfall Possibility of waterlogging landslides in hilly areas and damage to crops Farmers urged to ensure proper drainage and safeguard standing crops the weather bureau appealedHeatwave High risk of heat illness Vulnerable groups elderly children outdoor workers should avoid direct sun exposure stay hydrated and use ORSlemon waterIMD has urged citizens to keep track of updates through its website and districtwise warnings As the lead period increases forecast accuracy may decrease For detailed districtlevel forecasts and warnings citizens can visit the official IMD portal