New Delhi [India]: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, hailstorms, and cloud-to-ground lightning, across several regions in India. Residents in the affected areas are urged to take necessary safety precautions.
The states under the warning include East Rajasthan, West and East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Gangetic West Bengal. In an update shared on social media platform X, the IMD stated:
“Severe thunderstorms with dangerous cloud to ground lightning activity happening starting from East Rajasthan to West MP, East MP, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and system approaching towards Gangetic West Bengal. Hailstorms also likely throughout the whole belt. Necessary precausations/actions are suggested.”
Additional alerts have been issued for thunderstorms in isolated areas across Assam & Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, South Interior Karnataka, and Uttarakhand. The IMD said:
“Strong winds (speed reaching 50-60 kmph) accompanied with thunderstorms are likely at isolated places over Assam & Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, South Interior Karnataka and Uttarakhand.”
Furthermore, IMD forecasts thunderstorms with gusty winds over Himachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim. According to the department:
“Thunderstorms with gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) are likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.”
The agency also warned of possible hailstorms in parts of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand. As per IMD:
“Hailstorms are likely at isolated places over Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim and Uttarakhand.”
In addition, heavy rainfall has been predicted at isolated locations in Odisha and South Interior Karnataka.
Localized weather warnings have also been issued for specific districts in Vidarbha. IMD Nagpur stated:
“Thunderstorm with hail and lightning, Gusty winds (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) and light rainfall likely to occur at isolated places of Gondia, Bhandara, Nagpur, Wardha district of Vidarbha.”
Another alert was issued for nearby districts:
“Thunderstorm with lightning, Gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph) and light rainfall likely to occur at isolated places of Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim and Chandrapur district of Vidarbha. Take precautions while moving out,” IMD Nagpur said.
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded a significant amount of rainfall on Friday, with 78 mm measured by 8:30 am. This marks the second-highest 24-hour rainfall for the month of May since 1901. The record remains 119.3 mm, recorded on May 20, 2021. Lodhi Road saw the highest rainfall at 78 mm, closely followed by Safdarjung Airport at 77 mm.