The southwest monsoon of India is set to gain more ground in the coming two days, as per the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Favorable conditions will facilitate further advancement of the monsoon season in more areas of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu in the coming days, especially June 4. This development holds great importance in relation to the change of season from summer to monsoon, while multiple warnings have been issued regarding various types of weather conditions.
Weather Contrast Across India
As far as travelers are concerned, the next seven days would see a huge contrast in weather in India. In addition to those regions of India which are ready to receive rains and monsoonal scenes, many other areas are likely to experience thunderstorms with strong winds, along with dust storms and hailstorms.
Heavy Rainfall in Southern India
Maximum rainfall is expected over southern India in the upcoming week. According to the forecasts made by the IMD, there would be very heavy rainfall over Kerala and Mahe from June 2 to June 8. Furthermore, heavy rainfall is forecast to occur in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. As far as Karnataka is concerned, it would witness rainfall in all districts, with heavy rainfall occurring in some coastal, south interior, and north interior districts during different periods from June 2 to June 7. Lakshadweep would also see some heavy rainfall throughout the week.
Kerala would remain among the wettest areas in the country in the coming week, with heavy rains forecast to occur on a daily basis until at least June 8. This would contribute significantly to the changing seasons of the Western Ghats in the region.
IMD Weather Bulletin
Similarly, heavy rainfall activity is anticipated to increase in the northeast region. Heavy rains are anticipated in Arunachal Pradesh between June 3 and June 8. Meanwhile, heavy showers are expected to occur in Assam and Meghalaya between June 5 and June 8. There will be widespread rainfall coupled with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in the northeastern states over the next five days.
In eastern India, there will be scattered thunderstorms. Parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal may have periods of rainfall along with lightning and gusty winds. There are also warnings of heavy rainfall in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim between June 4 and June 6, which could lead to travel delays in the eastern Himalayas.
Northwest India to Experience Active Weather
While the monsoon moves northward and eastward, northwestern India will continue to witness active weather conditions due to the influence of western disturbances and other related weather systems. Thunderstorms along with gusty winds are anticipated in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
In particular, there will be squalls with wind speeds ranging between 50 to 60 kmph, with gusts touching 70 kmph. This is likely to happen in Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on June 3 and 4. Similar squally weather conditions are also predicted in Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Such weather conditions will impact traveling, flying, and tourism.
Isolated hailstorms are also predicted in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan during the said period. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh is also expected to see hailstorms. Furthermore, isolated dust storms have been predicted over western Rajasthan. All of these weather predictions are bound to be a challenge for travelers, particularly to the Rajasthan desert region.
Delhi and NCR Weather
Moreover, Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) will continue to face thunderstorm weather until June 6. Thunderstorms have been predicted along with lightning, gusty winds, and spells of rain. This is more likely to happen on June 3 and 4. This weather prediction is expected to bring respite from the prolonged heatwaves seen in northwestern India.
Heatwave Conditions Persist in Some Areas
Although the onset of monsoons is near, heatwave conditions continue to be an issue in certain parts of the country. Heatwave conditions have been forecast in Bihar from June 4 till June 6 by the IMD. Hot and humid conditions are likely in Odisha, northeast India, and certain coastal belts.
The maximum temperature recorded in India on June 2 was reported in Khammam, Telangana, which reached 43 degrees Celsius, reflecting the wide range of weather conditions prevalent across India presently.
Impact on Travel and Tourism
For the travel sector, there are both opportunities and risks in store for travelers. With the approach of monsoon rains, the monsoon season will bring about a revival of many top nature-based tourist destinations like Kerala, Karnataka's Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu hills, and the Northeast states. However, the meteorological department has indicated that heavy rainfall will create problems such as flooding, waterlogging, poor visibility, traffic jams, landslides, and disruption of transport systems.
Tourists and travelers have been advised to check weather conditions frequently and traffic status before embarking on their trips, and to avoid flooded and waterlogged areas.
