Yellow alert for lightning and rain in Sindhudurg, Satara and Kolhapur as monsoon withdraws

The weather in Maharashtra has begun to change again after the monsoon started its return journey. Rain with lightning is likely in parts of Konkan and Central Maharashtra today, September 30. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for three districts: Sindhudurg, Satara and Kolhapur.

The intensity of rain has eased in some parts of the state. Even so, light rain with thunder and lightning is forecast at isolated places in Konkan and Central Maharashtra today. Rain with gusty winds and lightning has been forecast for Sindhudurg district, as well as Satara and Kolhapur districts. A yellow alert for caution has therefore been issued for all three districts.

The southwest monsoon has begun withdrawing from several parts of the state and the country. It has returned from most parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, including the national capital Delhi. It has also withdrawn from some parts of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The monsoon's return line remained unchanged on Tuesday, September 29.

A severe low-pressure area had formed in the east-central Bay of Bengal, along the Myanmar coast. It is moving north towards the Bangladesh coast and is likely to dissipate today, September 30.

Different weather systems are active behind the chances of rain in the state. A cyclonic circulation persists over the east-central Arabian Sea at 1.5 to 4.5 km above sea level. A cyclonic circulation has also formed from south Telangana to the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The system extends up to the Gulf of Mannar. The weather department said a low-pressure trough lies at about 900 metres above sea level.

In areas where the rain has paused, the afternoon heat is increasing. In the 24 hours up to Tuesday morning, September 29, Amravati recorded the state's highest temperature at 36.4 degrees Celsius. Mahabaleshwar recorded the lowest, at 17.3 degrees Celsius. The gap between the state's maximum and minimum temperatures is therefore wide.

Rain was recorded in some parts on Tuesday. Sangamner and Sangola in Central Maharashtra, and Shirur Kasar and Kalamb in Marathwada, received 30 mm each. Fog and dew also formed at some places in the early hours of Tuesday. The morning was therefore pleasant in some parts, while the afternoon was hot.

Light rain with lightning is possible at isolated places in Konkan and Central Maharashtra today. The chances of rain are comparatively lower in the rest of the state, including Vidarbha and Marathwada. These areas will stay cloudy, with intermittent sunshine and shade. The weather department has forecast that even with a brief respite from rain, the afternoon heat will persist.