New Delhi, May 3 (ANI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a high-alert warning for severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lightning across several states, urging citizens to take necessary precautions as dangerous weather systems move across central and eastern India.
According to IMD, cloud-to-ground lightning and strong convective storms are currently active across East Rajasthan, West and East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and are progressing toward Gangetic West Bengal. Hailstorms are also likely throughout the entire stretch.
In a weather advisory shared via social media platform X, IMD stated that severe thunderstorms with dangerous lightning activity are occurring from East Rajasthan to West MP, East MP, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and are approaching Gangetic West Bengal. Hailstorms are also likely across this belt, and necessary precautions are advised.
The IMD has issued additional warnings for thunderstorms at isolated locations across Assam and Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, South Interior Karnataka, and Uttarakhand. These events are expected to be accompanied by strong winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph.
Thunderstorms with gusty winds between 40 and 50 kmph are also forecast at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim. Hailstorm warnings have also been issued for isolated areas in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
Furthermore, the IMD has highlighted the possibility of heavy rainfall in Odisha and South Interior Karnataka.
Region-specific warnings for Vidarbha were also issued by IMD Nagpur. In Gondia, Bhandara, Nagpur, and Wardha districts, thunderstorms with hail, lightning, gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph, and light rainfall are expected. In Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim, and Chandrapur districts, thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph, and light rainfall are likely to occur.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to remain indoors during adverse weather, avoid sheltering under trees, unplug electrical appliances, and stay tuned to official weather updates.
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 78 mm of rainfall on Friday morning, the second-highest 24-hour rainfall in May since 1901, surpassed only by 119.3 mm on May 20, 2021. The Lodhi Road area recorded the highest rainfall at 78 mm, followed closely by Safdarjung Airport with 77 mm.
With severe weather conditions sweeping across large parts of India, the IMD continues to monitor developments closely and advises all to follow local authorities’ safety instructions.
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