Fresh spell of wind and rain hits Maharashtra, yellow alert in 25 districts
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has triggered heavy rain and gusty winds across Maharashtra even as the monsoon withdraws from parts of the north
Weather in Maharashtra has turned once again. A low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal has intensified rain in several parts of the state. Interestingly, the monsoon has begun withdrawing from Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, yet the spell of rain in Maharashtra has not let up. The Meteorological Department has put 25 districts of the state on yellow alert, forecasting moderate to heavy rain with thunder in some places.
The Konkan region has been getting good rain over the past few days. On September 22, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts have been placed under a yellow alert, with light to heavy rain accompanied by lightning expected, and wind speeds that could reach 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. There is no alert for Palghar and Sindhudurg, though light drizzle is possible in some places. A yellow alert is expected to continue in parts of Konkan on September 23 as well.
There is no alert for Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon in North Maharashtra, though light rain remains possible. In Nashik and the ghat areas, light to heavy rain with lightning is likely, with stormy winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. A yellow alert will remain in force for Nashik and the ghat areas the following day as well.
In Western Maharashtra, rain is forecast for Pune, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Solapur, along with the ghat areas. Moderate to heavy rain with lightning is possible in some places, with wind speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, and up to 40 to 50 kilometres per hour in some areas. The yellow alert will continue on September 23, after which the intensity of rain may ease somewhat.
In Marathwada, barring Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a yellow alert has been issued for Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv districts. Rain with lightning is likely here, with winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. The rain is providing some relief, but a shortfall in recent days has already affected crops.
In Vidarbha, there is no alert for Akola, Amravati, Buldhana and Washim. However, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal, with wind speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, and most of these districts are under a yellow alert. Vidarbha is expected to receive good rain over the next two to three days.
Despite the monsoon's withdrawal having begun, rain continues in many parts of Maharashtra. A yellow alert is in force in several districts across Konkan, central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. People have been advised to exercise caution during spells of strong wind and thunder. How long the intensity of rain continues in the coming days remains to be seen.
According to the 10-day temperature forecast, September 23 (Wednesday) will see a maximum of 32 and a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius. September 24 (Thursday) will have a maximum of 33 and minimum of 26 degrees, September 25 (Friday) a maximum of 33 and minimum of 27 degrees, September 26 (Saturday) a maximum of 32 and minimum of 25 degrees, and September 27 (Sunday) a maximum of 33 and minimum of 27 degrees. This will be followed by September 28 (Monday) with a maximum of 33 and minimum of 26 degrees, September 29 (Tuesday) a maximum of 32 and minimum of 26 degrees, September 30 (Wednesday) a maximum of 33 and minimum of 26 degrees, October 1 (Thursday) a maximum of 33 and minimum of 26 degrees, and October 2 (Friday) a maximum of 32 and minimum of 26 degrees Celsius.
