IMD Rainfall Alert: Warning of heavy rains accompanied by storms in over 10 states; heatwave conditions expected in these areas.

 

Amidst scorching heat, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning for rain accompanied by thunderstorms in several states across the country. According to the department, heatwaves will prevail in several states—including Delhi and Haryana—and no relief is expected for the time being.

IMD Rainfall Alert: Varying weather conditions are being observed across different parts of India. While people in North India are grappling with severe heat, South India has been experiencing intermittent rainfall over the past 24 hours. Consequently, waterlogging has also been reported in several areas. Reports have also emerged of strong winds, blowing at speeds of 30–50 km/h, across various parts of Northeast, East, Central, West, and South India.

Severe Heat Grips These States

According to the Meteorological Department, a new spell of heatwaves has intensified across the country; originating in Haryana, it has now spread to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and eastern Madhya Pradesh. Maximum temperatures ranging between 40°C and 45°C are being recorded in Vidarbha, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The highest temperature—45°C—was recorded in Wardha and Akola, Maharashtra. The Meteorological Department further notes that day temperatures remain significantly above normal in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and certain parts of Central and North India, whereas temperatures in most other regions hover around normal levels. Among the plains, the lowest temperature—16.5°C—was recorded in Gurdaspur (Punjab).

Heatwave conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets of Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the Gangetic Plains of West Bengal until April 25. On April 22, heatwave-like conditions are also expected in the Gangetic Plains of West Bengal and in Bihar.

Weather Patterns Set to Change Here

Regarding weather systems, a Western Disturbance currently persists over Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, another Western Disturbance is expected to impact the Western Himalayan region starting April 23. Under the influence of these weather systems, scattered rainfall and snowfall are likely across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh in Northwest India between April 24 and 26. In Northeast India, rainfall is expected to continue, with the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya on April 22.

Where to Expect Rain

Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are likely to experience rainfall accompanied by lightning on April 22 and 23. In Assam and Meghalaya, winds gusting at speeds of 50–60 km/h are expected during rainfall on April 22 and 25; wind speeds could potentially reach up to 70 km/h. There is also a possibility of rain in the Vidarbha region today, with hailstorms likely in several locations.

According to the Meteorological Department, rain accompanied by strong winds may occur in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Between April 22 and 25, rainfall is possible in Tamil Nadu, Coastal Karnataka, Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada. According to the IMD, very heavy rainfall (12–20 cm) was recorded in isolated pockets of Assam, while heavy rainfall (7–11 cm) occurred in Nagaland. Meanwhile, thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds gusting at speeds of 50–80 km/h impacted Marathwada, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, as well as parts of Assam and Meghalaya.

Weather Changes in Himachal Pradesh

Temperatures are on the rise in Himachal Pradesh as well. Sandeep Kumar Sharma, a senior scientist at the IMD in Shimla, stated that over the past 24 hours, the weather across the entire state remained mostly clear. Temperatures in various regions rose by approximately 2 to 5°C. The highest temperature—38.4°C—was recorded in Una, while Shimla recorded 25.6°C, and both Solan and Bhuntar recorded temperatures of approximately 31°C. Daytime temperatures remained 3 to 5°C above normal. The weather is expected to remain clear across almost the entire state until April 23. On April 24, due to a Western Disturbance, light rain and snowfall may occur in the higher reaches of Chamba, Lahaul, and Kullu. A significant change in weather is expected on April 25, with a possibility of light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in districts such as Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla.