Heatwave conditions persist over several parts of India; ‘orange’ alert for rainfall in Himachal

The IMD has also forecast light rain or drizzle later in the day in Delhi. The temperature breached the 46-degree mark in parts of Delhi on Monday even as the city has been reeling under scorching heat for the past several days, straining power grids. The maximum temperature today (Tuesday) is expected to hover around 43 degrees Celsius, the weather agency reported.

Western Disturbance expected to become active over northwest India

A fresh Western Disturbance is very likely to become active over Northwest India, including parts of Rajasthan, during the next 24 to 48 hours, a weather department official said on Monday.

As a result of the disturbance, thunderstorms and rains will be seen in some parts of the state in the next 24 hours, Jaipur Meteorological Center in-charge Radheshyam Sharma said.

From Tuesday some parts of Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions of western Rajasthan and some parts of eastern Rajasthan, especially Jaipur and Bharatpur, will experience thunderstorms, he added.

Sharma further informed that there is a strong possibility that the effect of this system will be maximum between May 24 and May 26. With the further intensification of this system after 48 hours, there is a possibility of a further increase in thunderstorms and rain activities, PTI reported.

Due to this, there is a possibility of a drop in temperature by two to four degrees Celsius, Sharma said.

Churu was the hottest place in the state on Monday at 45.7 degrees Celsius, as per IMD.

Rain likely in Bihar till May 26

In other news,  most parts of Bihar are likely to get light to moderate rainfall over the next four days in a major relief from the scorching for the people, IMD informed on Monday.

Light to moderate rainfall along with hailstorms is likely in the majority of the districts till May 26, it said, adding that wind speeds are likely to reach 40-50 kmph.

The rain is expected to bring some respite from the scorching heat with the maximum temperature dropping by a few notches, the weather agency reported.

The change in the weather was attributed to a cyclonic circulation over eastern Uttar Pradesh, as per PTI.

The highest temperature in the state on Monday was recorded in Aurangabad district where the mercury touched 43.1 degrees Celsius.

 ‘Orange’ alert for 10 districts in Himachal

IMD has issued an ‘orange’ alert of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds at isolated places in ten districts in Himachal Pradesh on May 23 and 24.

It also issued a ‘yellow’ alert for thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places on May 25 and 26, PTI reported.

An active western disturbance is approaching the western Himalayan region from May 23 onwards, leading to widespread precipitation in the state for the next three to four days, as per the weather department.

Meanwhile, farmers have been advised to use anti-hail nets over the crops as a hailstorm is predicted in districts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur.

Light to moderate rainfall and snowfall is also expected to occur in higher reaches of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kangra, and Kullu districts. The average minimum temperature is expected to hover around 4-5 degrees below normal for the next four to five days, as per MeT.