Southwest monsoon to advance to the Andamans by May 19: IMD

As the country braces for the onset of the Southwest Monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted its likely advancement into the South Andaman Sea, parts of Southeast Bay of Bengal, and Nicobar Islands by May 19, 2024.

With this anticipated weather shift, various regions across India are expected to experience diverse patterns.

A cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala, coupled with a trough extending to Marathwada, is expected to bring isolated to scattered rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds (40-60 kmph) to Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Gujarat state from May 14 to 17, 2024, according to the met department.


Hailstorm activity is also likely in some areas.

Meanwhile, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand are expected to witness scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds (40-50 kmph) over the next week.

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Telangana, and North Interior Karnataka are likely to experience scattered to widespread rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-50 kmph) during the same period.

The IMD has also forecasted a cyclonic circulation over southwest Bangladesh and a trough in westerlies may lead to scattered rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds (30-40 kmph) in Northeastern states, gradually intensifying to fairly widespread to widespread rainfall from May 16 to 18.

A fresh Western Disturbance is forecasted to affect the Western Himalayan region from May 17, resulting in isolated to scattered rainfall activity over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand during May 17-19.

Temperature Trends and Alerts:
Maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C are expected in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Vidarbha. Gradual temperature rise is anticipated in Northwest & East India, Central India, and West India over the next five days.

Heat Wave and Hot & Humid Weather Warnings:
Heat wave conditions are likely in isolated/some pockets over Konkan, West Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh during specific periods, with severe heat wave conditions possible in isolated pockets of West Rajasthan and Punjab.

As per the weather agency, hot and humid weather is expected in certain regions, including Konkan & Goa, Saurashtra & Kutch, and Gangetic West Bengal.