Monsoon Approaches Kerala; Torrential Rain in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, and Showers Elsewhere, While Rajasthan Faces Heatwave
Active Monsoon Brings Widespread Rainfall and Heatwave Alerts Across India
India is currently experiencing an active Southwest Monsoon, with the meteorological department predicting widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across various regions of the country. This development is particularly significant for Maharashtra and Gujarat, where widespread rainfall and thunderstorms are expected from May 23 to 28.
The Southwest Monsoon is advancing steadily, and Kerala is likely to receive the monsoon onset within 2-3 days. This is supported by strengthened westerly winds over the Arabian Sea and a trough over the south peninsula. The monsoon trough, positioned north of its usual location near the Himalayan foothills, is a key driver of extreme rainfall events in northern and central India.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across multiple regions. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh continue to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rain, with very intense rainfall episodes on several days. Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh also have scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms through late August.
East and Central India, including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Vidarbha are expecting fresh spells of heavy rainfall with some isolated very heavy showers between mid-August and the end of the month. West India, such as Gujarat, is forecast to experience a spell of very heavy rainfall continuing till at least August 29, while Maharashtra and Karnataka are also receiving rainfall as the monsoon advances further. South India, including Kerala and coastal Karnataka, is expected to see heavy to extremely heavy rainfall from August 26 to 29; Tamil Nadu also has isolated heavy rainfall on August 23.
However, heatwave conditions persist in several eastern and northern states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana for the next 3-4 days. These areas are experiencing above-normal temperatures despite the monsoon activity elsewhere.
The IMD has issued region-wise alerts for flood-prone, storm-hit, and heatwave-affected areas, advising residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. Southern India is set to receive widespread rainfall over the week, with Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema experiencing thundersqualls with gusty winds. Northeast India is expected to continue receiving widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning through May 27.
Temperatures are expected to drop by 2-4°C across northwest and central India in the coming days, providing temporary relief before rising again. Delhi residents can expect a brief relief from the heat with light rain, thunderstorms, and cooler temperatures until May 25. Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram are forecast to experience isolated heavy rain through May 25.
West Rajasthan is experiencing severe heatwave conditions likely to continue until May 26. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Madhya Maharashtra on May 24. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecasted in Konkan & Goa from May 23 to 24 and in Coastal Karnataka on May 24.
Assam and Meghalaya are under the watch for heavy spells of rain through May 27, while Arunachal Pradesh is expected to experience isolated heavy rain through May 26.
In summary, India is currently under an active monsoon phase with significant heavy rainfall impacting northern, central, eastern, and southern regions, while heatwaves persist in some eastern and northern interior states. The monsoon is expected to advance further into southern India, especially Kerala and southwest peninsula, by late August.
- The meteorological department is predicting weather-forecasting for multiple regions in India over the coming days, especially for Maharashtra and Gujarat, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated from May 23 to 28.
- Despite the Southwest Monsoon advancing and predicted heavy rainfall, heatwave conditions continue to persist in several regions of eastern and northern India over the next 3-4 days, such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
