Half of June is almost behind us, yet the monsoon has not spread across the country at an even pace. The result is striking: on the very same day, different regions of India are seeing completely opposite kinds of weather. While eastern and northeastern India are set for a thorough drenching, several parts of the northwest could struggle with thunderstorms, dust-laden winds and a climbing mercury. According to the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the day will bring many shades of weather at once.
Where there's relief, where there's trouble
The department has issued a heavy-rain alert for Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the northeastern states. At the other end, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab are likely to see strong squalls along with thunder, lightning and rain. In Maharashtra's Vidarbha and Marathwada, the grip of the heatwave may persist. The encouraging news is that over the next few days the monsoon is expected to push into the remaining parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar, which could bring these states some respite from the heat. The monsoon's advance over northwest India, however, remains sluggish, and people there will have to put up with both heat and humidity.
Northeast India to see the heaviest rain
The strongest spell of rain is forecast to continue over the northeast. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura could all receive heavy rainfall. The department has issued a heavy-rain alert for several states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. Parts of Arunachal Pradesh and the Assam-Meghalaya belt may even witness very heavy rain, raising the risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas and landslides in the hills.
Eastern India: warnings of lightning and strong winds
Across eastern India, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal will see a steady run of rain and thunderstorms. Many parts of Bihar and Jharkhand could face lightning strikes along with winds blowing at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. For Odisha, there is an alert for thunderstorms with rain and strong winds reaching 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. The sub-Himalayan districts of West Bengal have been warned of heavy rain.
Active weather over central India
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha will see active weather, with thunderstorms and rain likely at many places. Western and eastern Madhya Pradesh could experience strong squalls with winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha, too, will remain at risk of rain accompanied by lightning.
Rajasthan: gusts could touch 80KMPH
The most ferocious face of the weather today may show up in Rajasthan. The department has issued a thundersquall alert for both eastern and western Rajasthan. Winds here could blow at 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 80 kilometres per hour. Parts of western Rajasthan may also see dust storms. People have therefore been advised to avoid venturing into open areas.
A split mood in Maharashtra
Maharashtra will wear two very different faces. On one side, parts of Konkan and Goa will stay humid; on the other, the heatwave may continue to grip Vidarbha and Marathwada. The department has issued a heatwave alert for isolated parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha. Central Maharashtra, meanwhile, could see light rain with thunder, lightning and strong winds.
Rising monsoon activity in the south
In the south, the spell of rain will continue across many parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Kerala and coastal Karnataka are likely to receive widespread rainfall, while Tamil Nadu and Puducherry can expect thunderstorms with rain. Telangana and Rayalaseema may see rain accompanied by strong winds. Overall, the monsoon is steadily gathering strength across the southern states.
Delhi: cloudy skies, winds up to 60KMPH
In the national capital, the sky will be partly covered with clouds on June 15. According to the department, very light to light rain is possible in the afternoon or evening. This will come with thunder, lightning and winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 60 kilometres per hour. Despite the rain, however, immediate relief from the heat looks unlikely for Delhi's residents. The department expects the maximum temperature to rise by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius over the next seven days, while the minimum temperature could climb by 3 to 5 degrees — pushing up both heat and humidity.
Storms in UP, turbulence in Uttarakhand
In Uttar Pradesh, the weather will vary from region to region. Western Uttar Pradesh is likely to see light rain with thunder, lightning and strong winds, while parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh could face squalls and gusty winds. The department has issued an alert for winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. In Uttarakhand, the next 24 hours will be highly turbulent. Hill districts may receive light to moderate rain, with thunder, lightning and the chance of strikes at several spots. Travellers heading along the Chardham Yatra routes have been advised to stay alert, as the hilly areas remain prone to landslides and road blockages.
A strengthening monsoon in Bihar
In Bihar, monsoon activity appears to be gradually strengthening. Clouds will hang over many parts of the state, and thunderstorms with rain are possible. Some areas are also likely to experience strong winds.
