The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated an early push of the southwest monsoon, with conditions turning favourable for its advance over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands during the next four to five days.
The development comes amid widespread weather activity across the country, triggered by multiple cyclonic circulations, troughs and an approaching Western Disturbance, bringing a mix of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds and heatwave conditions.
Heavy rainfall alert across southern states
According to the IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over parts of South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe and south Interior Karnataka over the next few days.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also expected across several regions, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and parts of peninsular India.
Northeast India braces for intense rainfall
The Northeast is likely to remain under the influence of intense rainfall activity, with Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh expected to receive heavy to very heavy showers till May 18.
Similar wet weather conditions are also forecast over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, raising concerns over localised flooding and waterlogging.
Western Disturbance to impact Northwest India
In Northwest India, a fresh Western Disturbance expected from May 15 is likely to bring rain, thunderstorms and even snowfall to higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Gusty winds and hailstorm activity may also affect isolated pockets across north Indian states.
Heatwave conditions persist across several regions
Despite the increasing rainfall activity, heatwave conditions continue to grip several parts of the country.
The IMD has warned of severe heatwave conditions over isolated pockets of West Rajasthan till May 18, while East Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra are likely to remain under heatwave conditions through mid-May.
Temperatures have already crossed the 42-degree Celsius mark in several regions, with Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan recording one of the highest maximum temperatures in the country at 47.3 degrees Celsius.
Fishermen advised to avoid Bay of Bengal
The weather office has also issued a fishermen warning, advising people not to venture into large parts of the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and adjoining coastal regions till May 17 due to rough sea conditions linked to the low-pressure system over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Delhi-NCR likely to see rain and gusty winds
Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR is likely to witness partly cloudy skies with chances of light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds on May 13.
The national capital’s maximum temperature is expected to remain between 37 degrees Celsius and 39 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal for this time of the year.
Dynamic weather patterns expected in coming days
With the monsoon inching closer to the Indian mainland earlier than usual, the coming days are expected to bring dynamic weather patterns across the country, offering relief from scorching heat in some regions while intensifying rain-related concerns in others.