A dust storm in Delhi brought some respite from the prevailing severe heatwave conditions on Saturday, although the maximum temperature still settled at 44.2 degrees Celsius.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest weather forecast informed that the prevailing heatwave conditions over Northwest, Central, and East India are anticipated to gradually subside over the next two days. IMD has forecast light rain and thunderstorms for Delhi today. The weather department also stated that isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to persist in Northeast India and the southern Peninsular region for the next 4-5 days, bringing much-needed relief to these areas.
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Heatwave conditions eases in Delhi
A dust storm in Delhi brought some respite from the prevailing severe heatwave conditions on Saturday, although the maximum temperature still settled at 44.2 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal. Delhi has been under the grip of a severe heatwave from the past week. According to the weather office, Najafgarh recorded 44.6 degrees Celsius, Narela 46.2 degrees, Aya Nagar 44.4 degrees, Pusa 45.2 degrees, Pitampura 44.7 degrees, and Palam 44.1 degrees.
Additionally, the weather office has predicted a generally cloudy sky with thunderstorms and light rain, accompanied by gusty winds of 25 to 35 kmph on Sunday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be 43 and 29 degrees Celsius, respectively.
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Severe floods hit Kerala and Assam, IMD sounds red alert
Severe flooding has struck Kerala and Assam due to two cyclonic systems, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). The CWC’s flood situation report details significant rainfall leading to severe flood conditions in various regions of India, with Kerala and Assam being the most affected. One cyclone over Arunachal Pradesh, combined with strong winds from the Bay of Bengal, has brought heavy rains to northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. Another cyclone off the coast of southern Kerala has caused heavy rainfall in Kerala. IMD has predicted more heavy rains, causing rivers in both regions to rise further.
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IMD forecasts heavy rainfall in these places
The Met Office has issued an alert for heavy rainfall in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Yanam for the five days. “Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over NCAP, Yanam. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with a speed of 30-40 Kmph likely over NCAP, Yanam, SCAP and Rayalaseema. Hot, humid and discomfort weather is likely over SCAP on June 1, 2 and 4,” IMD said in its bulletin. IMD also stated that “Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds with a speed of 30-40 Kmph likely over NCAP, Yanam, SCAP and Rayalaseema on June 3 and 5.”
Southwest monsoon update
The Southwest monsoon arrived early over Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30, marking the beginning of the four-month rainy season crucial for India’s agriculture-based economy. With the Southwest monsoon intensifying in Kerala two days after its onset, heavy downpours have lashed several parts of the state, particularly in the southern and central districts, triggering landslides, uprooting trees, and causing waterlogging.
Continuous rains for hours have led to widespread destruction in the high-range areas of Kottayam and Idukki districts, while intense downpours have caused severe waterlogging and traffic snarls in the low-lying areas of Thrissur district. Met department has updated its weather warning, placing the central district of Thrissur and the northern districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode under a red alert. An orange alert has been issued for Idukki, Palakkad, and Wayanad, while a yellow alert has been sounded in six other districts.
On the other hand, the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Madhya Pradesh by June 15, two days earlier than usual, according to an official from the meteorological department on Saturday. The southwest monsoon made an early onset over Kerala and the northeastern region on Thursday. Pramendra Kumar, a meteorologist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bhopal Centre, told PTI, “Monsoon is likely to set over Madhya Pradesh around June 15, or a day or two ahead of its normal schedule.”
