IMD issues heavy rain and strong wind alert for 22 states, hail likely in eastern India
Even as the monsoon begins its withdrawal, the weather department has warned of thunderstorms, winds of up to 75 km/h and landslide risk in hilly areas on Thursday.
New Delhi: The monsoon has begun its withdrawal, yet the weather has turned in many parts of the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for heavy rain with thunderstorms in 22 states on Thursday. Winds could blow at 70 to 75 km/h. There is a risk of landslides in hilly areas, and temperatures could fall by 3 to 4 degrees. Lightning and hail are also likely in parts of the plains and eastern India.
With wind speeds rising over the sea, fishermen and farmers have been advised to stay in safe places. In Uttar Pradesh, light to moderate rain is possible in several districts including Lucknow, with winds of 30 to 40 km/h. Rain is also expected in Meerut, Agra, Prayagraj and Kanpur. In Bihar, heavy rain and strong winds are forecast in several districts including Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Purnia.
In Jharkhand, moderate to heavy rain is likely on October 1 and 2 in several districts including Ranchi, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and Bokaro. The temperature in Ranchi is expected to range between 29 and 20 degrees. Moderate rain is possible in the capital, Delhi, with winds of 20 to 30 km/h.
Despite the start of the south-west monsoon's withdrawal, the force of the rain has not yet eased. Five cyclonic circulation systems are active across the country at present. Under their influence, several states are likely to see rain and strong winds over the next few days. For some areas, the weather department has also warned of winds of 50 to 60 km/h.
More than nine states in north-west and eastern India are likely to see thunderstorms, rain and squalls. Humidity may rise in these areas. Heavy rain has been forecast in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
