IMD warns of storms in North India, heavy rain in South
New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday warned of thunderstorms, lightning and wind gusts of up to 60 kmph at isolated places in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan, while forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of southern India and a flash-flood risk in three states.
In its weather bulletin issued on Friday morning, the IMD forecast isolated rainfall across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan on October 16. However, rainfall activity in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab is expected to remain largely confined to Friday, with dry weather likely from October 17 to 22. The department forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and south interior Karnataka on October 16.
Heavy rainfall was also likely in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe. Rainfall activity is expected to continue over southern India during the coming days. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from October 16 to 19, and over Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, coastal Karnataka and south interior Karnataka from October 16 to 22. The IMD also warned of a low to moderate flash-flood risk in parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka during the 24 hours ending at 5.30 am on October 17.
The affected areas include Erode, Nilgiris, Theni, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts in Tamil Nadu; Ernakulam and Palakkad in Kerala; and Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka. The department cautioned that heavy rainfall could cause surface runoff, inundation in low-lying areas, waterlogging and localised landslides or mudslides, particularly where the ground is already saturated. Strong winds and heavy rain could also damage standing crops, horticultural plantations, vulnerable structures and roads, besides disrupting road and rail traffic.
The IMD advised people in vulnerable areas to remain alert and be prepared to move to safer locations if required. It also urged people to avoid taking shelter under trees during lightning, disconnect electrical appliances when lightning threatens and stay away from water bodies. A western disturbance persisting as a cyclonic circulation over north Punjab and adjoining areas, along with another circulation over south Haryana and adjoining north Rajasthan, was influencing weather conditions over parts of north India.
Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive isolated rainfall on October 16 and 17, while Uttarakhand could experience scattered rainfall on Friday, followed by isolated showers over the next two days. The IMD also forecast isolated heavy rainfall in Telangana on October 18 and Odisha on October 17. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds were likely in parts of central and eastern India. The department advised farmers in affected regions to protect harvested produce, secure crops against strong winds and maintain proper drainage in fields.
Livestock owners were asked to keep animals in shelters during heavy rainfall. Among significant rainfall recorded between 8.30 am on October 15 and 5.30 am on October 16, Karaikal and Coimbatore's Peelamedu airport received 6 cm each, Tirupati 5 cm and Bengaluru 3 cm. Rajkot in Gujarat recorded the country's highest maximum temperature at 40.6 degrees Celsius, while Haflong in Assam recorded the lowest minimum temperature over the plains at 15 degrees Celsius.
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