IMD issues yellow alert for several Maharashtra districts on October 18 and 19, warns of strong winds

Post-monsoon rain conditions persist in Maharashtra. The weather department has warned of heavy rain with lightning across the state over the next two days. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is forecast at select places in South Konkan-Goa, South Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada. In view of this, it has issued a yellow alert for several districts.

On October 18, winds at 40 to 50 km per hour and thunderstorm rain are forecast in parts of South Konkan, South Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada. Hot and humid weather is expected to continue in some parts of North Konkan.

The yellow alert districts for October 18 include Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in Konkan, where light to moderate rain with lightning is expected and winds will blow at 30 to 50 km per hour. In Madhya Maharashtra, thunderstorm rain is likely in Kolhapur (city and ghat areas), the ghat areas of Satara, and Sangli and Solapur districts. A yellow alert has also been issued for the Marathwada districts of Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv, and people have been advised to stay safe.

On October 19, the rain is likely to spread to a few more districts. A yellow alert will be in force that day in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune (city and ghat areas), Kolhapur (city and ghat areas), Satara (city and ghat areas), Sangli and Solapur districts. Thunderstorm rain is also forecast in Beed, Latur and Dharashiv in Marathwada.

Storms with lightning are also forecast on October 19 in the Vidarbha districts of Gadchiroli and Nagpur.

Winds during the thunderstorms will blow at 30 to 50 km per hour. Standing under a tree or in the open while lightning flashes can be dangerous. The weather department has therefore appealed to farmers and the public to take full precautions suited to the weather.