The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a spell of intense weather across the country, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected over Northeast India and parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Southern states are also likely to experience continued heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Meanwhile, a severe heatwave is set to scorch parts of North and Northwest India, including West Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and North Madhya Pradesh in the coming days. Here are the details
The IMD has indicated favourable conditions for the southwest monsoon to advance over the south Arabian Sea, Maldives, Comorin area, central Bay of Bengal, and the remaining Andaman Islands within the next 2–3 days. The Northern Limit of Monsoon currently passes through Long Island in the Andaman region.
Northeast India: Heavy Rainfall, Thunderstorms to Continue
The IMD forecasts widespread light to moderate rainfall across the northeastern states, with heavy to very heavy spells expected over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura. Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds up to 50 kmph are also likely.
|
Date |
Region |
Rainfall & Weather Forecast |
|
May 16-18 |
Assam, Meghalaya |
Heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorm & gusty winds |
|
May 16-21 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
Heavy rainfall; very heavy on May 17 |
|
May 17-18 |
Isolated heavy rainfall expected |
|
|
May 16-22 |
Entire NE India |
Widespread rainfall with thunderstorm & lightning |
South Peninsular India: Rain, Thunderstorms and Squalls
The southern states will experience fairly widespread to widespread showers along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds up to 70 kmph in some areas. Coastal Karnataka and Kerala are on alert for very heavy rainfall during May 19–21.
|
Date |
Region |
Rainfall & Weather Forecast |
|
May 16-22 |
Kerala & Mahe |
Daily rain with thunderstorms; very heavy rain May 19–21 |
|
May 16, 19, 20 |
Rayalaseema |
Isolated heavy rain with strong winds |
|
May 16-20 |
Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
Thunderstorms, lightning & gusty winds (30–50 kmph) |
|
May 20 |
Lakshadweep |
Isolated heavy rainfall |
|
May 20-21 |
Coastal Karnataka |
Very heavy rainfall likely |
West India Forecast: Thunderstorms and Heavy Showers Ahead
West India, including Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat, will see active weather conditions with scattered rainfall and thunderstorms. Very heavy rain is forecast for Konkan & Goa on May 21–22, while strong squalls are likely to impact parts of Maharashtra.
|
Date |
Region |
|
Weather Forecast |
|
May 16-20 |
Konkan & Goa, Marathwada |
|
Isolated rainfall with thunderstorms (30–50 kmph winds) |
|
May 19-21 |
Konkan & Goa |
|
Thundersqualls (50–60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph); very heavy rain May 21-22 |
|
May 20 |
South Madhya Maharashtra |
|
Isolated heavy rainfall |
|
May 20-21 |
Madhya Maharashtra |
|
Squalls up to 70 kmph possible |
East and Central India: Rain with Isolated Thunderstorms
Many areas in Central and East India are expected to see moderate rainfall and thunderstorms. Isolated heavy rainfall is predicted in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, with gusty winds and thundersqualls over Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
|
Date |
Region |
Forecast Highlights |
|
May 16-20 |
Sub-Himalayan WB & Sikkim |
Isolated heavy rain |
|
May 18 |
Gangetic WB, Bihar |
Heavy rainfall likely |
|
May 16-19 |
Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand |
Thundersqualls with 50–70 kmph winds |
|
May 16-22 |
Chhattisgarh, MP, Vidarbha |
Light/moderate rain with thunderstorms & gusty winds (30–50 kmph) |
Northwest India: Isolated Rains, Heatwaves and Hailstorms
Northwest India is expected to receive light to moderate rain in hilly areas and some plains. Dust-raising winds will impact Rajasthan. Isolated hailstorms are likely in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
|
Date |
Region |
Weather Forecast |
|
May 16-21 |
J&K, Ladakh, HP, Uttarakhand |
Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds |
|
May 16-21 |
East UP, East Rajasthan |
Isolated light rain |
|
May 16-18 |
West Rajasthan |
Dust storms (25–35 kmph) and heat wave |
|
May 16 |
Uttarakhand |
Isolated hailstorm likely |
|
May 19 |
Himachal Pradesh |
Isolated hailstorm expected |
Rising Temperatures and Heat Wave Alerts Across India
As parts of the country brace for intense rainfall, other regions are experiencing rising temperatures and heat wave conditions. The IMD has issued maximum temperature forecasts and warnings related to heat waves and hot, humid weather for several states. Here’s a closer look:
1. Maximum Temperature Forecast
The maximum temperatures are expected to remain steady across most parts of the country, with some fluctuations forecast in specific regions.
|
Region |
Temperature Trend |
|
East India |
No major change in the next 24 hours; drop by 2–3°C over subsequent 3 days; stable thereafter. |
|
West India |
No major change for 4 days; drop by 2–4°C over the next 3 days following that. |
|
Rest of India |
No significant change expected in maximum temperatures. |
The IMD indicates a cooling trend after a brief period of sustained heat in both eastern and western parts of the country. However, this cooling may not bring immediate relief to areas facing heat wave conditions.
2. Heatwave and Hot Weather Conditions
Several states will face heatwave conditions in the coming days. West Rajasthan will remain the hottest, with heatwaves persisting throughout the week. Humid weather will affect Bihar and Odisha.
|
Date |
Region |
Heatwave / Hot & Humid Forecast |
|
May 16–22 |
West Rajasthan |
Heatwave likely throughout the period |
|
May 16–17 |
SW Uttar Pradesh |
Heatwave in isolated pockets |
|
May 16–18 |
Jammu & Kashmir |
Isolated heatwave conditions |
|
May 18–19 |
North Madhya Pradesh |
Heatwave expected |
|
May 16–17 |
Bihar, Odisha |
Hot and humid weather |
|
May 16 |
East UP & East MP |
Warm nights in isolated areas |
The extended heat wave in West Rajasthan is of particular concern, with conditions likely to persist for seven consecutive days. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir and parts of Uttar Pradesh are also expected to face severe heat for shorter durations.
On the other hand, regions like Bihar and Odisha may not experience extreme daytime heat but will face discomfort due to high humidity levels, making conditions feel hotter than they are.
Delhi NCR Weather Forecast
Delhi will see partly cloudy skies with chances of light rain, dust storms, and thunderstorms. Wind speeds will vary daily, and maximum temperatures will hover around 41–43°C.
|
Date |
Forecast Details |
|
May 17 |
Light rain with thunder, winds up to 50 kmph, max temp: 41–43°C, min: 27–29°C |
|
May 18 |
Cloudy, gusts up to 35 kmph, max temp: 40–42°C, min: 27–29°C |
|
May 19 |
Similar to May 18, temp range 39–41°C, winds 15–25 kmph |
Residents in Northeast and South Peninsular India should stay alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over the next few days. Those in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and North Madhya Pradesh should take precautions against heatwave conditions. Travelers and farmers are advised to plan accordingly and stay updated with IMD alerts for their regions
