As India braces for extreme weather fluctuations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive forecast indicating a volatile mix of heatwaves, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall across several regions between May 19 and 24. From scorching temperatures in the northwest to early monsoon rains in the south and northeast, much of the country is likely to experience weather extremes in the coming days.
Scorching Heat to Grip Northwest India
Heatwave conditions are expected to persist in isolated pockets of west Rajasthan from May 19 to 24. East Rajasthan is likely to experience the same between May 19 and 22, while Haryana will endure the heat from May 19 to 21. Hot and humid conditions are also forecast for Odisha on May 19 and 20, accompanied by warm nights in Haryana and Rajasthan.
The southern states are preparing for a deluge. Extremely heavy rainfall is predicted in isolated areas of Karnataka on May 20 and 21 and over the Konkan coast on May 21. Very heavy rainfall is also likely in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Assam, and Meghalaya on May 19 and 20. Kerala, Mahe, and Madhya Maharashtra are expected to receive heavy showers through May 23.
In the Northeast, widespread light to moderate rainfall is anticipated, with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-50 kmph. Assam and Meghalaya are forecast to receive isolated very heavy rainfall on May 19 and 20.
Dust Storms and Hail in the North
Northwest India could witness isolated hailstorms in Himachal Pradesh on May 19 and in Uttarakhand on May 19 and 20. Dust storms with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph are forecast for west Rajasthan from May 19 to 22 and for Punjab and Haryana on May 19.
In Delhi-NCR, residents can expect partly cloudy skies with light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds ranging from 30-50 kmph from May 19 to 22.
Konkan & Goa and Madhya Maharashtra are likely to face thunderstorms with squalls reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, between May 19 and 23. Marathwada will also be affected from May 19 to 21.
In central and eastern India, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Bihar between May 19 and 22. Jharkhand will experience similar conditions on May 19 and 20. Thunder squalls with gusts up to 70 kmph are expected in Gangetic West Bengal on May 19 and in Chhattisgarh on May 21.
Encouraging signs for the southwest monsoon’s progress have emerged. According to the IMD, conditions are favourable for further advance of the monsoon into additional parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and northeastern India over the next 2–3 days.