IMD warns of hailstorms, 60 kmph winds in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi on October 14-15

Panchkula, Oct 13 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday warned of hailstorms, thunderstorms and winds gusting up to 60 kmph across Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi over the next three days, raising concerns about possible damage to standing crops and power infrastructure, and disruption to normal life.

In its latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, issued at 8:01 am, the IMD said isolated to scattered rainfall was likely across the region on October 13, followed by fairly widespread to widespread showers on October 14 and 15. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely at isolated places across Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi from October 13 to 15. Isolated hailstorm activity has also been forecast for October 14 and 15.

The weather department warned that strong winds and hail could damage standing crops, horticultural plantations, power and communication lines and vulnerable structures. Falling tree branches and flying debris could pose risks to people and livestock. The warning assumes significance for the agricultural states of Haryana and Punjab amid the ongoing kharif harvesting and procurement season. Farmers have been advised to move harvested produce to safer locations, cover it with tarpaulin sheets, and secure crops against strong winds.

According to the IMD, a western disturbance, currently seen as a cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh with an associated upper-level trough, is influencing weather conditions across northern India. The department reported that Karnal in Haryana recorded a minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, the lowest reported over the plains of India in its October 12 observations. The IMD advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering beneath trees, stay away from electrical installations and minimise unnecessary travel during severe weather. Meanwhile, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from October 13 to 15, with isolated heavy rainfall likely on October 14.

Himachal Pradesh is expected to receive fairly widespread rainfall on October 14 and 15, while isolated to scattered showers are forecast over Uttarakhand until October 18. Rajasthan is also likely to experience unsettled weather, with isolated to scattered rainfall forecast over western parts from October 13 to 15 and eastern parts until October 16. Thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, are likely at isolated places across the state during October 13-15. In Uttar Pradesh, isolated rainfall is forecast over western districts from October 13 to 15 and eastern districts on October 15 and 16.

Parts of Chhattisgarh may receive isolated to scattered rainfall throughout October 13-18, while showers are expected over parts of Madhya Pradesh later in the week. In eastern India, Odisha is likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall until October 18, while Bihar and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim may experience showers from October 16 to 18. Rainfall is also forecast over Assam and Meghalaya throughout the period, with thunderstorms and lightning likely over parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on October 13 and 14. In southern India, isolated heavy rainfall is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh from October 14 to 17, Rayalaseema from October 14 to 16, and Kerala, south interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from October 15 to 18. Heavy rainfall is also forecast over north interior Karnataka from October 16 to 18 and coastal Karnataka on October 17 and 18.

The IMD said conditions were becoming favourable for the further withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the remaining parts of the country and the simultaneous commencement of northeast monsoon rainfall over southern peninsular India within the next two to three days. A low-pressure area is also likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 13 under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the south Andaman Sea.

UNI KK ARN