IMD warns of thunderstorms, 50 kmph winds in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi on Oct 10-11; heavy rain forecast in Uttarakhand, southern states
Panchkula, Oct 9 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 50 kmph across isolated parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on October 10 and 11, while forecasting rainfall at isolated locations in the region until October 14 and heavy showers in Uttarakhand and several southern states.
In its latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, issued at 8.06 am, the weather department said wind speeds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, were likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on Saturday and Sunday, raising concerns over possible disruption to agricultural operations and outdoor activities.
The warning comes amid the persistence of a western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining areas and an upper-air cyclonic circulation over Haryana and neighbouring northwest Uttar Pradesh. The IMD said, "Isolated thunderstorms, lightning & gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph) likely over Haryana,Chandigarh & Delhi and Punjab during 10th-11th October."
The department's subdivision-wise warning issued on October 9 also confirms thunderstorm and lightning warnings for Punjab and the Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi region on October 10 and 11, with no corresponding warning indicated for October 9 or October 12-15. According to the seven-day rainfall forecast, isolated rainfall is expected across Punjab and the Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi meteorological subdivision throughout October 9-15.
The IMD has, however, not forecast widespread or heavy rainfall in these areas during the period. The distinction is significant because isolated rainfall refers to precipitation at only 1-25 per cent of reporting stations in a meteorological subdivision, suggesting that weather conditions could vary considerably between districts.
The IMD's meteorological analysis showed that an upper-air cyclonic circulation earlier situated over northwest Uttar Pradesh now lies over Haryana and adjoining northwest Uttar Pradesh, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. Another weather system, a western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining areas, continues to persist as a cyclonic circulation at 3.1 km above mean sea level. These systems are present as northwest India prepares for another spell of unsettled weather, despite the southwest monsoon's continued withdrawal from other parts of the country.
The forecast assumes particular significance for Punjab and Haryana, where the kharif harvesting and procurement season is underway. Thunderstorms and gusty winds could create difficulties for farmers handling harvested paddy and other crops, particularly where produce is stored in the open. The weather department has advised farmers in thunderstorm-prone areas to protect harvested crops with tarpaulin sheets or shift them to safer locations. Uttarakhand is expected to experience more intense weather conditions on October 9, with the IMD forecasting fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and isolated heavy showers.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely at isolated locations in the hill state on Friday. On October 10, wind speeds are expected to moderate to 30-40 kmph, with gusts reaching 50 kmph, while isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast across the state until October 14. The department has cautioned that heavy rainfall and strong winds could trigger localised landslides, mudslides, waterlogging and flooding in vulnerable areas, as well as disrupt roadand rail traffic. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on October 10. Isolated to scattered rainfall is expected on October 9 and 11 and again during October 13-14.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely during October 9-10 and October 13-15. Himachal Pradesh is expected to remain largely dry until October 12, followed by scattered rainfall from October 13 to 15. In Uttar Pradesh, isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast over western districts between October 9 and 11 and eastern districts on October 9 and 10. Western Rajasthan is likely to receive isolated rainfall on October 11 and 12, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, reaching 50 kmph in gusts, on October 11.
Eastern Rajasthan could experience isolated rainfall on October 12. Rain, thunderstorms likely in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in central India, the IMD has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall over eastern Madhya Pradesh between October 9 and 11. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds reaching 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, are expected over eastern Madhya Pradesh on October 9 and 11. is likely to receive isolated rainfall on October 9 and again on October 14. The department has not indicated significant rainfall activity over western Madhya Pradesh during the seven-day forecast period. Bihar faces thunderstorms, 60 kmph gusts; rain in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha In eastern India, Bihar is expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph , gusting to 60 kmph, on October 9.
Isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast over Bihar from October 9 to 11. Gangetic West Bengal, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Jharkhand , and Odisha are also expected to experience rainfall and thunderstorms at different times in the coming days. The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on October 9, followed by isolated to scattered rainfall on October 10 and 11. Gangetic West Bengal is likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall on October 9-10 and again on October 14, while Jharkhand could experience rainfall on October 9 and 10. Odisha is expected to witness isolated to scattered rainfall throughout October 9-14.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds reaching 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, are likely over Gangetic West Bengal, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Jharkhand and Odisha on October 9. Northeastern states to witness rainfall and lightning The weather department has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh on October 9 and 10. Assam and Meghalaya are expected to receive rainfall from October 9 to 11 and again during October 13-14. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura could experience isolated to scattered rainfall throughout October 9-14.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated locations across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on October 9. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on October 10 and 11, with isolated to scattered showers on October 9 and during October 12-14. Heavy rainfall warning for Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Southern India is likely to witness some of the most significant rainfall activity during the forecast period. The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Kerala and Mahe, and over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on October 9 and 10, while south interior Karnataka faces a heavy rainfall warning for October 9. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is expected over Kerala and Mahe on October 9-10 and again on October 14. Lakshadweep is also expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on October 9 and 10.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal between October 9 and 12. Similar wind conditions are forecast over Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep on October 9 and 10. Kerala and Mahe could experience thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 50 kmph on October 11 and 12. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema are likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning, and winds gusting upto 50 kmph on October 9 and 10. Strong surface winds are also forecast over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema during the same period. Isolated to scattered rainfall is expected over coastal Karnataka, south interior Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during October 9-14.
Hot and humid conditions in Konkan and Goa While several parts of the country are expected to receive rainfall, the IMD has forecast hot and humid weather over Konkan and Goa on October 9 and 10. The department's observations for October 8 showed that maximum temperatures were markedly above normal at a few locations in Vidarbha and isolated places in Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Telangana and Rayalaseema.
The highest maximum temperature recorded in the country was 39.7 degrees Celsius at Pilani in Rajasthan. Rain recorded at many places in Punjab; minimum temperatures above normal The IMD's rainfall observations for the period between 8.30 am on October 8 and 5.30 am on October 9 showed rainfall at many places across Punjab. Rainfall was reported at most places in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, and Gangetic West Bengal. Among the significant rainfall observations, Guwahati recorded 6 cm, Dhubri 4 cm, Shillong's Barapani station 3 cm, Thiruvananthapuram 3 cm, Agartala 2 cm, Kolkata's Dum Dum airport 2 cm and Katra in Jammu and Kashmir 2 cm.
Minimum temperatures were appreciably above normal by 3.1°C to 5°C at a few places in Punjab and isolated locations in Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Maximum temperature remained near normal at most places in Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. The IMD said conditions were becoming favourable for further withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from parts of eastern India, the northern peninsula and several areas of northeast India during the next three to four days. The withdrawal line continues to pass through Supaul, Ranchi, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Bijapur, Hyderabad, Belagavi and Panjim, along with other geographical coordinates.
The department also reported the persistence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh and adjoining Assam, extending between 0.9 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level. A trough extends from north Bangladesh and adjoining Assam towards Telangana across Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Another cyclonic circulation persists over eastern Uttar Pradesh and its neighbourhood, while a trough extends from the Comorin area towards Marathwada across Tamil Nadu and interior Karnataka. The IMD has advised residents in thunderstorm-affected areas to avoid sheltering under trees, stayaway from water bodies and electrical conductors during lightning, and monitor official weather updates. Strong winds and heavy rainfall could damage standing crops, horticultural plantations and vulnerable structures, while uprooted trees and broken branches could obstruct roads.
The department has also advised farmers to secure harvested produce, provide support to horticultural plants and protect stored fodder from rain. In areas facing heavy rainfall, people have been advised to remain prepared to move to safer locations if weather conditions deteriorate. The IMD said its daily weather warnings remain valid from 8.30 am on the specified date until 8.30 am the following day.
UNI KK ARN
