IMD Issues Comprehensive Nationwide Weather Alert for Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a significant nationwide weather alert on Saturday, forecasting widespread thunderstorms, substantial rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds across numerous regions of India in the coming days. The agency's latest bulletin highlights intensified weather activity specifically over eastern, central, and northeastern parts of the country, with warnings of heavy rain, thundersqualls, and potential hailstorms.
Regional Forecast Details and Specific Warnings
According to the IMD's detailed forecast, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to experience widespread rainfall between March 21 and 24. Isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rain are particularly likely on March 21. Thundersqualls with wind speeds potentially reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour are anticipated in parts of Gangetic West Bengal. Meanwhile, Odisha may witness gusty winds up to 70 kmph, accompanied by possible hailstorm activity.
In Northeast India, fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is forecast over Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Isolated heavy rainfall is also probable over Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh on March 24.
Impact on Central, East, and Northwest India
Parts of East and Central India—including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh—are likely to witness scattered rainfall along with strong winds over the coming days. Northwest India is set to experience a fresh wet spell, with light to moderate rain and snowfall predicted over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on March 23. East Uttar Pradesh may also see fairly widespread rainfall, with gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph.
IMD Scientist Akhil Shrivastava, speaking on Friday, provided further context: "A large-scale thunderstorm activity is currently being witnessed across India. In Delhi, rainfall activity occurred yesterday, resulting in a significant drop in maximum temperatures. Our forecast indicates that similar intermittent rainfall activity is likely to occur during the evening hours today. However, this activity is expected to subside in Delhi starting tomorrow, with the probability of rain decreasing from tomorrow onwards."
He added, "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°C may be observed in maximum temperatures today. Nevertheless, temperatures are expected to begin rising again after tomorrow."
Orange Alert Issued for Multiple States
Shrivastava further noted that an 'Orange Alert' had been officially issued for regions including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal. This alert is due to expected severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, and possible hailstorms. "Wind speeds in eastern India may reach 60 to 70 kmph, posing potential risks," he cautioned, highlighting the safety concerns associated with such conditions.
Meanwhile, southern states and parts of Maharashtra are likely to witness scattered rainfall, even as hot and humid conditions persist over Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and Goa. The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely and advises citizens in affected areas to stay updated with official forecasts and take necessary precautions.
