IMD issues thunderstorm, heavy rain alert across several states as heatwave likely to ease

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a major change in weather conditions across several parts of the country over the next few days, with thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rainfall expected in many states currently reeling under severe heatwave conditions.

According to the IMD, temperatures are likely to decline in parts of north-west India, Rajasthan, Vidarbha and eastern Madhya Pradesh as pre-monsoon activity intensifies.

The weather department has warned of moderate to severe thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds across north, central and eastern India between May 28 and May 31.

Officials said wind speeds could reach up to 100 kmph in some areas during the period.

In north-eastern India, heavy rainfall has been forecast at isolated places in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya between May 28 and June 3.

Heavy rain is also expected in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during the same period.

For southern India, the IMD has forecast scattered to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph over Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry and Karaikal from May 28 to June 1.

Similar weather conditions are expected over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from May 28 to June 1, while Rayalaseema is likely to receive rainfall between May 30 and May 31.

The department also forecast thunderstorms over Karnataka and Rayalaseema on May 28 and 29, and over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from May 28 to 30.

Scattered rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from May 28 to 31, while Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep are expected to witness rain activity between May 28 and June 3.

In eastern India, the IMD has issued alerts for light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from May 28 to June 3.

Thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching up to 80 kmph are likely in Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar on May 29.

Wind speeds of up to 70 kmph have also been forecast in Jharkhand and Odisha between May 28 and May 31.

The weather department further said hailstorms are likely in Bihar on May 29.

In north-western India, heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds has been forecast over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between May 28 and May 30.

Light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms is also expected in eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Rajasthan and eastern Rajasthan from May 31 onwards.

The IMD warned that western Uttar Pradesh could witness thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching up to 100 kmph on May 29.

Meanwhile, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are likely to experience thunderstorms with gusty winds of up to 90 kmph on May 28 and 29.

Heavy rain has also been forecast at isolated places in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh around May 29 and 30.

Meteorologists said the widespread thunderstorm and rainfall activity is likely to provide significant relief from the ongoing heatwave conditions affecting large parts of the country.