INVC NEWS
New Delhi —The onset of pre-monsoon rains is bringing much-needed relief to parts of northern and eastern India, stretching from Punjab and Haryana to West Bengal and the northeastern states. However, the harsh reality of soaring temperatures and severe heat waves continues to grip large swathes of the country, including 10 states such as Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, where temperatures have soared to a blistering 46 degrees Celsius.
Widespread Heat Wave and Rising Temperatures Shake Northern and Central India
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports extreme heat across many regions. Over the past 24 hours, several areas recorded maximum temperatures ranging between 41 to 46 degrees Celsius. Banda in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, registered the highest at 46.2°C. North-west India, including parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, faces ongoing heat waves with the IMD forecasting these conditions to persist for several more days.
Dr. Naresh Kumar, a leading IMD scientist, emphasizes that temperatures will remain critically high, especially in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, where the heat wave is expected to last four to five days. Similarly, Haryana, Punjab, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Telangana continue to endure oppressive heat and humidity with no immediate relief in sight.
Heavy Pre-Monsoon Rains and Thunderstorms in Northeast and South India
While the northwest grapples with the heat, Northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim are witnessing heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning. This trend is forecasted to continue over the next 5-6 days, bringing significant changes to the weather pattern.
South Peninsular India is also under the influence of strong pre-monsoon showers, with heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and gusty winds expected for the next 5-7 days. An orange alert has been issued for about 20 districts in Jharkhand, where thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching up to 60 km/h are predicted, driven by moisture currents from the Bay of Bengal.
Mumbai Experiences Pre-Monsoon Showers, Offering Respite from Heat
Mumbai residents enjoyed relief as many parts of the city received pre-monsoon rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning on Saturday morning. This welcome change helped lower the intense heat and humidity that had been building up due to persistent cloudy skies. The IMD has forecasted continued rains and thunderstorm activity for the Mumbai metropolitan region on Sunday.
Storms, Lightning Strikes, and Heat Wave Warnings in Multiple States
The recent weather upheaval has been deadly in some regions. Odisha and Bihar have reported a tragic toll of 12 deaths due to lightning strikes and thunderstorms in the last 24 hours. Odisha alone witnessed nine fatalities across multiple districts, including Koraput, Jajpur, and Ganjam. In Bihar’s Saharsa district, a cyclonic storm displaced over 100 families, exacerbating local distress.
Meanwhile, areas such as Delhi saw a yellow heat wave alert on Saturday. However, heavy rains with strong winds brought momentary relief from the oppressive heat during the afternoon. Additional heat wave warnings are in effect for Uttar Pradesh, northern Madhya Pradesh on May 18-19, and Jammu division on May 18.
Powerful Winds and Weather Impact Across Northern and Eastern States
Strong winds between 60 to 90 kmph were recorded in isolated pockets of western Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Northeast and South India. Wind speeds of 40-60 kmph were noted in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
Forecast Outlook: Preparing for a Challenging Week Ahead
With heavy rains and thunderstorms expected to continue in the northeast and southern regions and relentless heat waves persisting across northern and central India, residents are urged to take precautionary measures. The combination of high temperatures, strong winds, and localized storms presents a complex weather scenario for the coming days.
Monitoring local weather updates remains crucial as India transitions further into the monsoon season. While some regions brace for floods and storms, others face the heat’s peak, underscoring the diverse climatic challenges unfolding across the subcontinent.
