IMD warns of hailstorms, rain and 60 kmph winds in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi on Oct 14-15
Panchkula, Oct 14 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday warned of fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, isolated hailstorms and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds across Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi during October 14-15, with wind speeds likely to reach 40-50 kmph and gusts touching 60 kmph.
In its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued at 8.04 am, the IMD said isolated hailstorms were likely across the region on both days, raising concerns about possible damage to standing crops, horticultural plantations, trees, and vulnerable structures.
The department warned that strong winds and hail could also damage power and communication lines, while people and livestock in open areas could be injured by hailstorms. The forecast indicates that the spell of rainfall over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab will be concentrated on October 14 and 15, with dry weather expected from October 16 to 20, although isolated thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also indicated for Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on October 16. The IMD attributed the prevailing weather conditions to western disturbances and associated atmospheric circulations over northwest India.
According to the bulletin, a western disturbance persisted as a cyclonic circulation over northern Pakistan and adjoining Jammu, accompanied by an upper-air trough. Another western disturbance was located over northwest Uttar Pradesh, while an upper-air cyclonic circulation persisted over central Rajasthan. The department advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms, close doors and windows, avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from taking shelter beneath trees. People were also advised to unplug electrical appliances during lightning activity, stay away from water bodies and avoid contact with objects that conduct electricity.
In Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely on October 14-15, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast on October 14. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are also likely during the two days, while isolated hailstorms are expected on October 14. Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive fairly widespread rainfall on October 15, with isolated thunderstorms and lightning on October 14-15 and hailstorm activity on October 14. Isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast over the state on October 14 and during October 16-17.
Uttarakhand is likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall during October 14-19, with hailstorms and gusty winds forecast at isolated places on October 15. In Rajasthan, isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over western parts during October 14-15 and eastern parts during October 14-16. Hailstorms are forecast over western Rajasthan on October 14 and eastern Rajasthan on October 15.
West Uttar Pradesh is likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall during October 14-16, while eastern Uttar Pradesh may experience isolated rainfall on October 16. In central India, isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast over western Madhya Pradesh during October 15-16, eastern Madhya Pradesh during October 15-19, Vidarbha during October 16-19 and Chhattisgarh during October 14-19. In eastern India, Odisha is likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall during October 14-19, while Bihar and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim may experience rain during October 16-18.
Rainfall is also forecast over Gangetic West Bengal during October 14-18. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on October 14, followed by isolated to scattered showers during October 15-19. In the northeastern states, isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya during October 14-17, and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during October 14-16.
In western India, isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over Konkan and Goa during October 15-19, Madhya Maharashtra during October 14-19 and Marathwada during October 16-19. Hot and humid conditions are also forecast over Konkan and Goa on October 14-15. Southern India is expected to experience a more prolonged spell of rainfall. The IMD forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during October 14-19 and Kerala and Mahe during October 15-19. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and south interior Karnataka during October 15-18; coastal Karnataka, north interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema during October 16-18; and Telangana on October 17.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are likely over parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu during October 15-17, and north interior Karnataka during October 16-18. Meanwhile, 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 during the next two days.
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