The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in several Indian states, bringing much-needed respite after days of scorching heatwave conditions that gripped the nation. The alert, valid until May 26, warns of heavy rainfall and other severe weather phenomena in various regions. According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places on May 24 over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and southern Haryana. The forecast also indicates the possibility of hailstorms occurring in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana on the same day. Northwest India is likely to witness rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and occasional gusty winds/squalls from the evening of May 23 until May 26, with the highest intensity predicted on May 24 and 25.
Furthermore, Kerala is forecasted to experience heavy rainfall on May 25, 26, and 27, while Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur may encounter isolated heavy rains from May 24 to 26. The IMD also predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Assam and Meghalaya on May 24, with continued heavy rain expected on May 25 and 26. Squally winds are anticipated on May 24 in regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Uttarakhand may experience squally winds on May 24 and 25, while western Uttar Pradesh may witness similar conditions on May 25. Hailstorms are a concern in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on May 24.
North Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh may also encounter hailstorms on May 24 and 25, along with western Madhya Pradesh on May 25 and 26. Additionally, isolated areas of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh may report thundersqualls and gusty winds with speeds reaching 50-60 kmph between May 24 and 25. In Bihar, isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated on May 24 and 25, adding to the weather variations across the country. With the IMD’s orange alert and the predicted weather patterns, it is crucial for residents in the affected regions to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and well-being during this period of heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions.