The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather advisory predicting a mix of severe conditions across the country for the coming days. According to the All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin valid from the morning of December 4 to December 9, citizens must brace for heavy rainfall in the south, a significant temperature drop in central and eastern regions, cold waves in the north, and dense fog in several states.
Southern India Braces for Intense Rainfall and Thunderstorms
A fresh spell of heavy showers is set to drench southern India starting Tuesday, December 4. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on December 4 and 5. Kerala and Mahe are also likely to receive heavy rainfall on Tuesday, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Similar wet conditions are expected in south interior Karnataka on the same day.
The bulletin warns of thunderstorms with lightning across a wide stretch of the southern peninsula on December 4. This includes coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, south interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–Karaikal. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph are also likely over Andhra Pradesh during these thunderstorms.
Given the already saturated ground in several districts, the IMD has raised concerns about flash flooding and local waterlogging. A separate flood advisory, valid until the afternoon of December 4, indicates a low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh (Nellore), Rayalaseema (Chittoor, Tirupati), and several Tamil Nadu districts including Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur.
Temperature Plunge and Cold Wave Conditions to Grip North and Central India
Simultaneously, a notable drop in minimum temperatures is expected to sweep across large parts of the country from Tuesday onward. Uttar Pradesh will see a gradual fall of 2–3 degrees Celsius between December 4 and 6. A similar decline is forecast for central and east India during this period.
In Northeast India, temperatures will remain steady until Tuesday before dropping by 2–3 degrees Celsius between December 5 and 7. While Northwest India may see relatively stable minimum temperatures overall, specific areas are under cold wave warnings.
The IMD has issued specific cold wave warnings for Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on December 4 and 5. North Rajasthan is forecast to experience cold wave conditions from December 4 to 6. Furthermore, Jharkhand is likely to be in the grip of a cold wave during December 6 and 7.
The daily cold wave forecast is as follows:
- December 4: Isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
- December 5: Isolated areas of Rajasthan and Jharkhand.
- December 6: Cold wave warnings continue for Jharkhand.
Dense Fog and Marine Warnings Add to Weather Woes
Adding to the travel disruptions, dense fog is likely to reduce visibility in several northeastern and eastern states in the early morning hours. Between December 4 and 5, isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, and Odisha may be affected. From December 4 to 6, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh in the western Himalayas are also likely to experience dense fog.
For those at sea, the IMD has issued a marine advisory for Tuesday, December 4. Fishermen are cautioned against venturing into the Lakshadweep region, southeast Arabian Sea, and areas off the Kerala coast due to squally weather with wind speeds likely to reach 35–45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph. This advisory is part of a broader caution for the period December 4 to 8.
Authorities Urge Public to Exercise Caution
With this dynamic and potentially disruptive weather pattern unfolding, authorities are urging residents and travelers across affected regions to stay alert. People in coastal communities, especially in Kerala and Lakshadweep, must adhere strictly to marine warnings. Travelers in northern and eastern states should prepare for reduced visibility due to fog and significantly colder temperatures. The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely as the northeast monsoon remains active in the south and winter tightens its grip on the north.
