IMD Issues Comprehensive Weather Alert: Nationwide Impact Expected
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has released its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin for the week starting April 22, indicating a period of highly active and diverse weather conditions across the country. The bulletin forecasts significant meteorological events, including intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and concurrent heat waves, affecting multiple regions simultaneously.
Northeast India Braces for Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorms
According to the IMD, the Northeastern states are set to experience the most severe weather. Assam and Meghalaya will witness widespread rainfall from April 22 to April 27, with heavy showers on April 22 and 24, escalating to heavy to very heavy rainfall from April 25 to 27. Arunachal Pradesh will see heavy showers on April 22 and 25, followed by very heavy precipitation on April 26 and 27.
The IMD has issued specific warnings for thundersqualls in Assam and Meghalaya on April 22 and 25. Wind speeds are expected to range between 50-60 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching up to 70 kmph. These conditions pose risks of uprooted trees, structural damage to buildings, and power outages in isolated areas, potentially disrupting daily activities.
Eastern and Southern Regions Face Unstable Weather Patterns
Eastern India will also encounter changing weather, with thunderstorms and rains forecasted for several states. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are predicted to have scattered to fairly widespread rain showers from April 22 to 27, with intense rainfall expected on April 26. Gangetic West Bengal will experience rain and thunderstorms between April 24 and 26, while Odisha faces thunderstorms from April 22 to 25, and Jharkhand will receive rainfall on April 24 and 25.
Additionally, the IMD has issued warnings for thundersqualls in Bihar on April 24 and 25, and in Gangetic West Bengal on April 26, with wind velocities similar to those in the Northeast, ranging from 50-60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph.
In the south, pre-monsoon thunderstorms are anticipated. States including Telangana, coastal Andhra Pradesh, interior Karnataka, and neighboring areas will receive scattered rains accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds from April 22 to 25. Kerala and Mahe are expected to see rainfall on April 22 and 23, while the Rayalaseema region may experience thunderstorm activities during the same period.
The IMD attributes this unstable weather in south peninsular India to a cyclonic circulation over Telangana and nearby regions in the upper air layer, along with a trough extending from Chhattisgarh to the Comorin region through Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Western India and Himalayan Areas Also Affected
Western India will not be spared, with weather changes expected in states like Maharashtra. Scattered rains are forecasted for Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada regions from April 22 to 25. Notably, hailstorm activities are also predicted in the Madhya Maharashtra region on April 23 and 24.
The northwest Himalayas will be influenced by a western disturbance starting April 23. This is expected to bring isolated to scattered light to moderate rain or snowfall, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds, to Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and neighboring areas on April 24 and 25, and to Himachal Pradesh on April 25 and 26.
Concurrent Heat Wave Warnings Issued for Multiple States
Amidst the rainfall, the IMD has also issued serious heat wave warnings for various parts of the country. Sporadic areas in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh are expected to experience heat waves throughout the week. Odisha and Rajasthan will face heat wave conditions from April 23 to 25, while Vidarbha may observe the same from April 24 to 26.
Heat waves have been predicted in Bihar and Gangetic West Bengal until April 22. This concurrent occurrence of heat wave warnings alongside thunderstorm alerts in neighboring regions highlights the highly unpredictable and dynamic weather system currently prevailing in India.
Temperature and Humidity Conditions Detailed
The weather conditions will be hot and humid over coastal and eastern regions, including Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gangetic West Bengal. Uncomfortably humid conditions are also expected in Konkan and Goa on April 23 and 24. Night warm conditions will prevail in Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi from April 22 to 24, and in some areas of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
According to IMD temperature data, the maximum temperature in the plains was recorded at 44.2°C in Banda, Uttar Pradesh on April 21, while the minimum temperature was noted at 17.5°C in Najibabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Advisories and General Forecast for Coming Days
The IMD has advised that torrential rains could lead to road floods, waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic snarls, poor visibility, and minor damage to kutcha roads and fragile buildings. In hilly areas, there is a risk of landslides and mudslides.
The general weather situation for the next three days indicates widespread rain in Northeast India and the western Himalayas, while scattered rains may occur in Gujarat and western peninsular India. Due to the extreme weather variations, local authorities are urged to monitor situations closely to mitigate impacts.
