India is bracing for a dramatic shift in weather patterns as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of warnings for the coming days. The country will experience an extreme scenario of scorching heatwaves coupled with thunderstorms, hailstorms, and heavy rains. These changing conditions are expected to affect all modes of transport, including roads, railways, and aviation, particularly during the peak summer holiday season. Regions such as Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala, and the northeast will be significantly impacted.
Weather Alerts for Northwest India
According to the most recent All India Weather Forecast Bulletin published by the IMD on the night of May 28, parts of northwest India can expect severe thunderstorms accompanied by destructive winds, hail storms, dusty storms, and rains until at least May 31. The IMD also noted that weather conditions have become favorable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon across other areas of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal over the next two to three days.
Travelers planning road trips, visits to hill stations, wildlife reserves, or long train journeys may face significant disruptions in many regions. States under weather alerts include Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Specifically, thundersqualls with wind gusts of up to 80-100 kmph are possible in parts of Uttar Pradesh, while Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi may experience winds up to 90 kmph. Hailstorms are also forecast across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
Advice for Hill Station Visitors
Travelers heading to the hills in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been advised to follow local instructions from concerned departments if storm activity intensifies. The IMD has specifically cautioned about the possibility of localized landslides and mudslides caused by heavy rains in some hilly areas. Visitors are urged to remain alert and avoid traveling during storm hours.
Heatwave Conditions Persist
While storms are expected in some regions, northern and central India continue to grapple with severe heatwaves. A severe heatwave condition is predicted in West Rajasthan, with similar warnings for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha. Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country at 47.5 degrees Celsius, highlighting the extremity of the ongoing heatwave. Warm night conditions are also forecast across the Vidarbha region.
However, there is some relief on the horizon for parts of north India. Maximum temperatures are expected to drop by 6-8 degrees Celsius across northwest India due to increased thunderstorm activity from May 28 to May 30. Central India is also likely to see a steady decline in temperatures over the next few days.
Heavy Rainfall in South and Northeast
While the north prepares for storms and heat, the south and northeast are gearing up for extensive rainfall. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya. Northeastern states including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will experience continuous spells of rain and thundershowers until early June. Travelers planning summer holidays in these regions may encounter problems due to wet weather, slippery roads, and low visibility caused by heavy showers.
In southern India, Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands are likely to see widespread rain activity for several days. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also face heavy rainfall warnings. These conditions could disrupt beach visits, ferry services, and intercity travel in coastal areas.
Warnings for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the IMD has predicted widespread rain and squally weather until June 3. Fishermen have been warned against venturing out into the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, and Andaman Sea due to rough seas and heavy winds.
