Fresh Western Disturbance to Trigger Rain Across Northwest India; Heavy Downpours Likely in Northeast, IMD Warns
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a fresh spell of rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds across large parts of Northwest India as a new Western Disturbance is set to influence weather conditions between June 18 and June 22. The weather agency has also warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of Northeast India and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the coming week, while heat wave conditions are expected to persist in several central and peninsular regions.
According to the latest weather bulletin issued by the Ministry of Earth Sciences on Tuesday, the southwest monsoon has remained sluggish but conditions are becoming favourable for its further advance into additional parts of Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh over the next four to five days.
Western Disturbance to Impact North India
A fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect Northwest India from June 18 onward, bringing widespread weather activity over the Western Himalayan region. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
Rainfall activity is also likely to spread into the plains of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh. Thunderstorms accompanied by winds reaching 40-60 kmph are expected at isolated locations, while thundersqualls with wind speeds of 60-80 kmph may occur over parts of Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.
The weather department has also warned of isolated hailstorm activity over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the period.
Delhi-NCR to Witness Relief from Heat
Delhi and the National Capital Region are expected to experience a significant drop in temperatures due to cloud cover and rainfall activity.
On June 16, the national capital is likely to witness generally cloudy skies with light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 50 kmph. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 30°C and 32°C, which is markedly below normal for this time of the year.
Light rain and thunderstorms are also forecast between June 17 and June 19, with temperatures gradually rising from 33-35°C on June 17 to 36-38°C by June 19. Strong surface winds and lightning activity may continue intermittently during the period.
The IMD has advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees and unplug electrical appliances during lightning activity.
Heavy Rainfall Alert for Northeast India
While Northwest India braces for a fresh weather system, Northeast India is likely to remain under the influence of persistent monsoon activity.
The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during the next seven days.
Heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh from June 18 to June 22, while Assam and Meghalaya may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall between June 18 and June 20. Similar conditions are expected in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during parts of the week.
Authorities have been warned about the possibility of localized flooding, waterlogging, landslides and disruptions to transportation in vulnerable regions.
Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Bihar Under Watch
The weather agency has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, where very heavy rainfall is likely from June 17 to June 22.
Bihar is also expected to witness isolated heavy rainfall between June 17 and June 20, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
The region has already recorded significant rainfall during the past 24 hours. Hilla Tea Estate in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal recorded 13 cm of rainfall, while Sonamura in Tripura received 8 cm and Supaul in Bihar reported 7 cm.
Heat Wave Conditions Continue Elsewhere
Even as rainfall activity increases in some parts of the country, heat wave conditions are expected to persist over several regions.
The IMD has forecast heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Chhattisgarh until June 17, Telangana until June 18 and Vidarbha until June 19. Parts of Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada may also experience heat wave conditions during June 18-19.
West Uttar Pradesh could witness heat wave conditions between June 19 and June 22.
On Monday, maximum temperatures between 40°C and 43°C were recorded across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the country’s highest temperature at 43.4°C.
Strong Winds and Severe Weather Recorded
The past 24 hours saw intense weather activity across several states.
Gusty winds reaching 74 kmph were recorded in Fazilka, Punjab, and Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Rohtak in Haryana reported wind speeds of 72 kmph, while Jind witnessed gusts of 70 kmph.
Hailstorms were reported from isolated areas of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, while dust storms occurred in parts of western Rajasthan and western Madhya Pradesh.
Thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 60-75 kmph affected Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Monsoon Advance Remains Slow
The Northern Limit of Monsoon currently passes through parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar before extending into Nepal. Although monsoon advancement has slowed in recent days, meteorological conditions are becoming more favourable for its northward movement.
Weather experts believe that rainfall activity associated with evolving atmospheric systems over eastern and central India could help the monsoon progress further during the coming week.
Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore
The IMD has issued warnings for fishermen operating in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected along the Sri Lanka coast, Gulf of Mannar, southwest Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea adjoining Somalia and Oman.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas between June 16 and June 21.
With multiple weather systems active across the country, authorities have urged citizens to remain alert, monitor official weather updates and take necessary precautions against thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, heavy rainfall and heat wave conditions.
