Monsoon is coming early in India this year. As memes addressing Delhi’s unpredictable weather are doing rounds on social media, extending a sense of relatability, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continues to issue pre-monsoon alerts across several Indian states.
Contrary to May’s usual disposition of scorching temperatures, an unexpected weather image is sweeping up the subcontinent. The IMD’s latest word on early rains suggests that Delhi is expected to get some relief from seething heat on Wednesday, May 21. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is expected to take over Mumbai and nearby cities till May 24. The peninsular region, including Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, was also hit with heavy showers this week. These unexpected rains and gusty winds may as well end up whipping up a cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea too.
Pre-monsoon showers latest: Weather upheaval in India
1. Delhi rains: The IMD issued a yellow alert in the national capital for today, signalling the early arrival of rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and dust storms. Although light rainfall is expected with a forecast of a partly cloudy sky on Wednesday, the IMD maintained that rains would possibly persist throughout the week (May 20-25). This weather update has already offered Delhiite consolation from uneasiness caused by Tuesday temperature – recorded at 41.8 degree celsius and marked by increased humidity level.
2. Mumbai rain: IMD’s forecast has heightened implied fears of the Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians IPL match being impacted at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai tonight as heavy rain is likely to win the match from May 21 to 24. The Meteorological Department also noted that an upper air cyclonic circulation is likely to form around Wednesday (expectedly intensifying by May 22) over the east-central Arabia Sea, which, in turn, may increase the possibility of rain activity in Maharashtra.
IMD’s May 19 forecast stated: “An upper air cyclonic circulation is likely to form over east-central Arabian Sea off Karnataka coast around 21st May. Under its influence, a Low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region around 22nd May. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwards and intensify further.”
“There is a possibility of heavy rainfall with thunder at some places, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph or possibly higher at isolated locations,” department official Shubhangi Bhute said. The places in question include south Konkan, Mumbai and south central Maharashtra.
3. Kerala moonsoon: On Tuesday, the IMD said monsoon was set to arrive in Kerala ahead of its usual onset from June 1 onwards. The weather department’s subsequent forecast estimated an early moonsoon arrival in Kerala by May 27. However, Tuesday’s revised update suggested that the monsoon onset us likely to be earlier than next week.
“The conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest Monsoon over Kerala during next 4-5 days,” the IMD said yesterday. “All the oceanic and atmospheric factors are in favour of an early monsoon onset,” a senior IMD official added. Northern Kerala districts – Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode – have been placed on red alert, while Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur come under the orange alert map. On the other hand, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta are under yellow alert.
4. Bengaluru rainfall: Despite India’s ‘Silicon Valley‘ already being flooded, no respite from rainfall is foreseen in the coming days. The IMD issued a red alert for seven districts in Karnataka on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bengaluru remains on orange alert.
As reported by the Indian Express, continued heavy to very heavy downpour over the next two days is likely to severely impact Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan. On top of that, key city roads such as Silk Road Junction, Hosur Road and BTM Layout remain flooded. So far the death toll related to rain incidents has soared to five in the Indian state.
5. Gujarat weather: IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms across the state from May 21 to May 26, owing to the cyclonic circulation’s influence. Isolated parts in North Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Kheda, Dahod, Sabarkantha, Panchmahal and Mahisagar are expected to be hit with these conditions. South Gujarat districts – Vadodara, Naramada, Bharuch, Surat, Tap, Chhota Udepur, Dang, Navsari and Valsad, and even Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli are likely to experience rains. Jamnagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Gir Somnath, Morbi, Diu, Botad, Morbi, Surendranagar and Bhavnagar won’t be exempted either.
6. Hyderabad rain: All through May 23, the state is likely to see light to moderate rain, as thunderstorms possibly bring in gusty winds at the speed of 30-40 km/h. Dipping away from the heat, maximum temperatures are expected to stay between 32-34 degree celsius. A yellow alert is also in place for Telangana and Hyderabad for the next few days.
7. Tamil Nadu: Rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-50 km/h are anticipated over the state. These conditions may stand still over the week, as heavy rainfall is likely to consume coastal regions on May 21 and 22.