Severe Heatwave To Hit Northwest India, IMD Issues Warning

Starting today, May 16, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a severe heatwave sweeping across northwest India. This weather condition is expected to last until May 18, affecting regions including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. The IMD specifically mentions isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, West Rajasthan, Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch, as well as Konkan and Goa, to face this intense heat on Thursday.

According to the IMD's detailed forecast, west Rajasthan will experience heatwave conditions from May 15-18. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, southern Haryana, and Bihar are set to endure such conditions from May 16-18, with northern Madhya Pradesh and East Rajasthan facing the heat on May 17 and 18. Radhe Shyam Sharma, the Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, has indicated that although a brief relief from the severe heatwave is expected due to western disturbances, the heat will intensify again post-May 15 or 16.

A new western disturbance will impact the western Himalayan region from May 17, leading to dust storms and thunderstorms with gusty winds (30-40 kmph) in isolated parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Strong surface winds of similar speeds are also anticipated over the plains of south Rajasthan. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall is expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from May 17 to 19, owing to the same disturbance. Additionally, southern Peninsular India is predicted to experience a wet spell with isolated heavy rainfall and thunderstorms until May 18, with the southwest monsoon advancing into the South Andaman Sea, parts of the Southeast Bay of Bengal, and Nicobar Islands around May 19.

Weather Alerts across India

In Kerala, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts, signaling the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert is in place for eight other districts. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has warned against nighttime travel to hilly areas and advised residents near rivers to be ready to move to safer locations due to potential heavy rainfall. Moreover, north interior Karnataka is on alert for isolated heavy rainfall (64.5-115.5 mm) and squalls (50-60 kmph) on May 16.

This series of weather updates and alerts emphasizes the variable climatic conditions across India, from severe heatwaves in the northwest to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the southern and Himalayan regions.