Maharashtra weather update: Orange alert for Gadchiroli on Wednesday, heavy rain forecast in drought-hit districts

The India Meteorological Department IMD on Tuesday issued an orange alert for Gadchiroli forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds reaching 4050 kmph at isolated places on WednesdaySeveral other districts across Maharashtra are also likely to witness rainfall and thunderstorms over the coming days with the forecast raising hopes of relief for droughtaffected Yavatmal and ChandrapurWhile Gadchiroli is under a yellow alert on Tuesday the weather department has issued yellow alerts for several districts in Vidarbha Marathwada Madhya Maharashtra and Konkan The forecast includes heavy rainfall in parts of Vidarbha along with thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds in other regionsDroughthit Yavatmal Chandrapur may receive rainfallYavatmal which the Maharashtra government has declared droughtaffected may finally receive rainfall with the IMD forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 3040 kmph at isolated places A yellow alert has been issued for the district on Tuesday and WednesdayChandrapur another droughtaffected district is under a yellow alert on Tuesday with thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds of 3040 kmph expected at isolated locations The district is likely to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday and ThursdayBhandara and Amravati may also witness heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday accompanied by thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds reaching 4050 kmphNagpur and Gondia are under yellow alerts for Wednesday and Thursday according to the IMDYellow alerts across Marathwada Western MaharashtraNanded and Hingoli are under yellow alerts for Wednesday with the weather department forecasting light to moderate rainfall thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds reaching 3040 kmph at isolated placesJalna is under a yellow alert for Thursday with thunderstorms and gusty winds likely the IMD saidIn Western Maharashtra the ghats of Satara are under a yellow alert for Thursday indicating the possibility of rainfall Kolhapur and its ghat areas are under a yellow alert on Wednesday with thunderstorms and lightning forecastThe ghats of Pune may receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds reaching 3040 kmph at isolated locationsAhilyanagar is also under a yellow alert on FridayNashik Konkan districts brace for thunderstormsNashik and its adjoining ghat areas along with Nandurbar and Dhule are under yellow alerts for Thursday The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in these areasIn the Konkan region Raigad and Ratnagiri are under yellow alerts for Thursday The weather department has predicted light to moderate rainfall thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds reaching 3040 kmph at isolated locationsIMD issues agromet advisory for farmersWith rainfall expected in several parts of Maharashtra the IMD has issued an agrometeorological advisory urging farmers to take precautions to protect crops harvested produce and livestockFarmers have been advised to harvest mature crops wherever possible and provide support to young fruit plants and vegetable crops to prevent lodging due to strong winds and rainfallIf threshing is not possible harvested produce should be properly covered while stored grains should be moved to safe storage facilities to protect them from rainThe advisory also recommends avoiding irrigation and chemical spraying during the forecast period Farmers should make arrangements to drain excess rainwater from agricultural fields to prevent waterloggingLivestock should be kept in safe cattle sheds and farm animals should be moved indoors during thunderstorms and lightning to minimise the risk of injury