India weather alert: IMD reports heatwave conditions alongside heavy rainfall and thunderstorms
New Delhi: Several parts of India are witnessing sharply contrasting weather conditions, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and an intensifying heatwave affecting different regions simultaneously, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD reported very heavy rainfall (12-20 cm) in isolated areas of Assam, while Nagaland recorded heavy rainfall ranging between 7-11 cm. Thunderstorms accompanied by squally winds of 50-80 kmph were observed in regions including Marathwada, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Assam and Meghalaya. Wind speeds reached up to 83 kmph in Marathwada. Gusty winds of 30-50 kmph were also reported across several regions nationwide.
Isolated hailstorms were recorded in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana.
At the same time, a fresh spell of heatwave conditions has intensified, beginning in Haryana and extending to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh. Maximum temperatures ranged between 40°C and 45°C across regions such as Vidarbha, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, with Wardha and Akola in Maharashtra recording the highest temperature at 45°C.
The IMD noted that daytime temperatures remain above normal in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and central and northern India, while most other regions are experiencing near-normal conditions. Minimum temperatures ranged between 13°C and 26°C, with Gurdaspur in Punjab recording one of the lowest at 16.5°C in the plains.
Meteorologically, a Western Disturbance persists as an upper air cyclonic circulation over Jammu & Kashmir, along with additional systems over southwest Rajasthan and northeast Assam. Troughs extend from Telangana to Comorin and from east Bihar to southwest Madhya Pradesh. Another Western Disturbance is expected to impact the Western Himalayan region from April 23.
Under the influence of these systems, northwest India is likely to receive scattered rainfall and snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh between April 24 and 26.
In Northeast India, widespread rainfall activity is expected to continue, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya between April 20 and 22, and again later in the month.
Eastern states, including Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, are expected to witness thunderstorms, gusty winds, and occasional thundersqualls. Central India may also experience thunderstorms and hailstorms, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha.
Southern and western regions—such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala—are likely to receive scattered rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, with hailstorm activity in some areas.
Heatwave conditions are expected to persist in isolated pockets of Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal between April 20 and 25. Hot and humid conditions are also likely to prevail in coastal and eastern regions, while warm night conditions may affect several central and eastern states.
Delhi is expected to remain under heatwave conditions until April 23, with temperatures ranging between 41°C and 44°C. Authorities have warned of moderate health risks and advised residents to avoid prolonged heat exposure, stay hydrated, and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
IMD also cautioned that thunderstorms and hailstorms could damage crops, trees, power lines, and weak structures, with Bihar and Odisha particularly vulnerable to thundersqualls. Heavy rainfall in the Northeast may lead to flooding, landslides, traffic disruptions, and crop losses.
Residents have been advised to remain indoors during severe weather, avoid sheltering under trees, and follow safety advisories. Farmers in affected areas have been urged to protect crops using hail nets, ensure proper drainage, harvest mature crops early, and adopt irrigation and mulching practices to minimise heat stress.
(DD News)
