NEW DELHI: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a statement on Wednesday, alerting that an active Western Disturbance is set to affect Northwest India until May 26, reaching its peak intensity on May 24 and 25.
The region can expect a continuous spell of wet weather due to the influence of the Western Disturbance, with the highest impact occurring on May 24 and 25, extending until May 26. Meanwhile, East and northeast India will also experience active rainfall and thunderstorm activity until May 26.
The IMD’s forecast warns of heavy rainfall in isolated areas, particularly over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Assam & Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura. Additionally, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and squall with speeds ranging from 50-60 kmph are expected in isolated places across Gangetic West Bengal, East Uttar Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan & Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, and Kerala.
Furthermore, lightning strikes are anticipated in isolated areas of Odisha, Coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. The IMD has also warned of hailstorms accompanied by lightning, squall, and hail with wind speeds ranging from 60-70 kmph in isolated places over Uttarakhand. Similarly, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, and West Rajasthan may experience lightning and squall with wind speeds of 50-60 kmph. Jharkhand and East Rajasthan could see lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph.
In addition to these weather conditions, the IMD cautions fishermen against venturing into the Northeast and adjoining Northwest Arabian Sea areas off the Gujarat coast, as squally weather with wind speeds of 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, is expected.
As the Active Western Disturbance continues to influence Northwest India, residents are advised to stay informed about the weather updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.