Monsoon set to reach Andamans by May 16; Delhi-NCR braces for rain before heatwave returns: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said conditions are becoming favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands around May 16, even as several parts of northwest, west, and central India are likely to witness heatwave to severe heatwave conditions during most days of the week.

In its latest weather bulletin issued on May 13, the IMD warned that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over several regions during most days of the week. West Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh are expected to witness the harshest conditions, while heatwave conditions are also likely over Uttar Pradesh between May 16 and 19, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi between May 17 and 19, along with Vidarbha, Telangana, and parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra over the coming days.

Rajasthan sizzles at 48.3°C

Rajasthan remained the hottest region in the country, with Barmer recording a scorching 48.3°C—the highest maximum temperature in India on Tuesday. Maximum temperatures crossed 42°C across most parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and West Madhya Pradesh.

The IMD said temperatures are likely to rise further by 4-6°C across northwest India between May 13 and 19. Warm night conditions are also expected over West and East Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Madhya Maharashtra, worsening discomfort levels.

Heavy rainfall alert for northeast and southern states

While north and west India battle extreme heat, the northeast and southern peninsular regions are likely to witness widespread rainfall activity.

The IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between May 13 and 19. Very heavy rainfall is especially likely over Assam & Meghalaya on May 13 and 14.

Southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and South Interior Karnataka, are also expected to receive heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds till May 17.

Thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds across multiple states

Thunderstorms and squally winds were reported across several regions over the past 24 hours. Squally winds reaching speeds of 50-100 kmph were reported in Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh, while hailstorms occurred in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and western Madhya Pradesh.

The IMD has warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds across eastern, central, and southern India over the next few days. Jharkhand and Bihar may witness thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching up to 70 kmph.

Weather systems influencing conditions

According to the IMD, a well-marked low-pressure area persists over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. Multiple upper-air cyclonic circulations and trough systems are also active over north and central India.

Additionally, a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to impact northwest India from May 15, bringing light rainfall and thunderstorm activity over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Delhi-NCR to see rain, thunderstorms before heat builds up

Delhi-NCR is likely to experience partly cloudy skies with spells of light rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds on May 13. Wind speeds may gust up to 60 kmph during thunderstorms.

The IMD said maximum temperatures in Delhi are expected to remain between 36°C and 38°C on Wednesday, before gradually rising to 39-41°C by May 15 and 16.

Residents have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorm activity, avoid taking shelter under trees, unplug electronic appliances during lightning, and stay away from water bodies and electrical conductors.

Fishermen advised not to venture into Bay of Bengal

The IMD has also issued a warning for fishermen, advising them not to venture into many parts of the southwest, southeast, west-central, and east-central Bay of Bengal on May 13 and 14, and into the Andaman Sea between May 14 and 18 due to rough sea conditions linked to the low-pressure system.