New Delhi: Rainfall is expected across almost all parts of the country over the next few days, with hail expected across northwest, central, and eastern parts of India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest forecast released Sunday. No heatwave conditions are likely to develop anywhere for the next five days, the IMD said.
Multiple cyclonic circulations and a western disturbance over Pakistan are responsible for bringing this activity, according to the forecast. Northwest India is likely to see gusty winds for the next five days, apart from scattered rainfall and thunderstorms.
“Generally, in May, the influence of a western disturbance is not as strong, but since we are seeing an active western disturbance, northwest India will be affected,” said Naresh Kumar, scientist with the IMD said to ThePrint over the phone, adding, “There are multiple circulations that are also creating low pressure zones across the country, which is why rainfall is expected. At the moment, temperatures are below normal in most places in India.”
An active western disturbance could bring hailstorm activity to Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh from 30 April-2 May, Uttarakhand for the next five days, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi from 1-2 May and Rajasthan from 30 April- 3 May, the forecast said.
Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Maharashtra are also likely to see hailstorm activity between 30 April and 1 May.
Widespread rainfall is expected over central India, with hail affecting west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh today. Parts of south India – including Kerala, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka are expected to see very heavy rainfall.
“These conditions are favourable for the pre-monsoon season,” Kumar said.
The IMD has cautioned states to set up hail nets and store produce in safer places in order to mitigate the effects of rain and hail on agricultural activities.
Last week’s prediction
Last week, the IMD had said that northwest India would be spared extremely high temperatures through May, but that they were likely to shoot above normal over east India.
The IMD had also forecast that rainfall would be within the normal range for the month of May, between 91-109 per cent of the long-period average of 61.4mm.
Most parts of the country are expected to experience normal to below normal minimum temperatures except some parts of northwest and east India where “above normal” minimum temperatures are likely in some areas, the IMD had said.
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)
Also read: India’s climate vulnerability indices don’t adequately capture impact of heatwaves, says UK-US study