The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather alert for multiple states, forecasting thunderstorms, b winds and heavy rainfall in several regions over the next 17 hours, while severe heat conditions continue in parts of the country.
According to the IMD, thunderstorms, b winds and heavy rainfall are likely in 19 states within the next 17 hours. Wind speeds in some areas may reach 50 to 70 kilometres per hour and, in certain locations, could rise to 81 kilometres per hour. The department warned that b winds may lead to fallen trees, disruptions to electricity supply and transport-related impacts.
The IMD said weather activity may affect 19 states, including Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with several northeastern and eastern states. These regions may experience thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall and gusty winds. Some areas may also witness a slight drop in temperature.
According to the weather department, an upper cyclonic circulation is active over eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas. A trough in the lower atmospheric levels extends up to Manipur, while another trough stretches from Uttar Pradesh to the Lakshadweep region. The department said these systems are increasing moisture across several regions, creating conditions for thunderstorms and rainfall.
The national capital Delhi is expected to witness dry and extremely hot weather, with temperatures likely to range between 44 and 46 degrees Celsius. Winds from the northwest may blow at speeds of 15 kilometres per hour, while gusts of up to 40 kilometres per hour are forecast on 21 May. Heatwave conditions may continue over the next few days.
In Uttar Pradesh, heat conditions continue to intensify. Banda recorded a temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius. Heatwave alerts have been issued in districts including Agra, Noida, Jalaun, Bareilly, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Kanpur. The weather department warned that hot winds may intensify further between 20 and 25 May.
In Bihar, weather conditions may change, with rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms forecast in Patna, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Gaya. Wind speeds in some areas may reach up to 81 kilometres per hour. The situation may continue until 25 May, with possible impacts on crops and electricity infrastructure.
Uttarakhand may witness rainfall and b winds between 20 and 23 May. Thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall are forecast in Dehradun, Uttarkashi and Chamoli. In Himachal Pradesh, rainfall and b winds are expected over the next 48 hours in areas including Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Kangra.
Rajasthan may continue to experience severe heat and heatwave conditions until 25 May, with areas including Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar likely to be affected. Punjab is also under a heatwave alert, with hot winds expected in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Bathinda. Jharkhand may witness thunderstorms and rainfall in areas including Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad.
Some areas of Madhya Pradesh may experience light rainfall and b winds alongside continued heat conditions. The weather department has advised fishermen in coastal areas not to venture into the sea due to b winds and adverse marine conditions.
