Weather turns: orange alert for several Vidarbha districts, heavy rain and storms forecast
IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts across Maharashtra districts for September 24-25, warning of heavy rain, lightning and squally winds up to 50 kmph.
Ganeshotsav is underway even as Maharashtra's weather is set for a major shift. The India Meteorological Department's latest forecast says different parts of the state are likely to see heavy rain, squally winds and lightning. The weather department has issued yellow and orange alerts for several districts, and the administration has appealed to citizens to stay alert.
On September 24, south Konkan-Goa, south central Maharashtra and Marathwada are likely to see lightning, thundershowers and squally winds of 40 to 50 kmph at some places. North Konkan and north central Maharashtra have also been warned of light to moderate rain and squally winds.
An orange alert has been issued for September 24 in Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur and Yavatmal, meaning these areas face a higher weather risk and have been asked to take special precautions. A yellow alert has been issued for Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Kolhapur (including ghat areas), Satara (including ghat areas), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Dharashiv, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Gondia, Wardha and Washim.
Rain will continue to be intense on September 25 as well. That day, Marathwada is likely to see heavy rain with lightning and winds of 40 to 50 kmph, while central Maharashtra will also see strong squally winds. An orange alert is in place for September 25 in Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia, while a yellow alert applies to Jalgaon, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Dharashiv, Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal.
Following this warning from the Mumbai weather office, the administration has appealed to citizens to be careful when stepping out of their homes. People have been advised not to stand under trees during lightning and to take shelter in a safe place. Farmers have also been asked to take care of their crops and animals. The possibility of power supply disruption in some places due to the squally winds cannot be ruled out.
