Maharashtra weather alert: IMD issues orange alert for Amravati, yellow for Nagpur & red for Pune, Mumbai

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Amravati and Gadchiroli districts, and a yellow alert for Nagpur and several other parts of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region over the next two days. The yellow alert covers Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Buldhana and Washim. According to the forecast, thunderstorms along with moderate rainfall are expected in Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, and at isolated places in Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Nagpur and Washim.

Maharasthra Orange alert forecast

The red alert has been declared for Mumbai, Raigad, Pune Ghat, Satara Ghat, Ratnagiri, and Kolhapur Ghat. An orange alert is in place for Palghar, Thane, Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Latur, Amravati, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli. The weather department said Amravati is likely to witness "heavy to very heavy" rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning on August 18. Gadchiroli is expected to see similar conditions on August 19.

Regional forecast
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Nagpur said thunderstorms with lightning are likely at isolated places over Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur and Washim districts in the coming hours.


Cause of active weather
"The reason behind this active weather over Vidarbha is because the Monsoon Trough (one of the semi permanent features of South West Monsoon) is south of its normal position," IMD regional centre official Dr Praveen Kumar told PTI.

He added that a well-marked low-pressure area was observed over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coasts at 8:30 am on Monday.

Cyclonic circulation and movement
The associated cyclonic circulation has been extending up to 9.6 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestwards with height. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression within 12 hours, likely to cross the south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coasts on the forenoon of August 19.

High wave and sea warnings

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a warning of waves between 3.5 to 4.3 meters in Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, Thane, and Ratnagiri districts from August 18 to 20. Palghar, Raigad, and Sindhudurg are expected to face waves up to 4.2 meters on August 19 and 20.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, with wind speeds reaching 50-60 km/h. District administrations have been directed to stay alert for rough sea conditions and high waves along the coast.

Flood risk in rivers

Authorities said rivers in some districts have crossed warning levels. In Ratnagiri, the Jagbudi, Shastri, and Kodavali rivers are flowing above danger levels, while in Raigad, the Kundalika river has also crossed the warning mark. Local administrations have issued alerts for vigilance.

Rescue teams deployed

One NDRF team has been sent to Beed district’s Parli Taluka, Kaudgaon area for rescue operations. An SDRF team has been deployed in Halgani village of Mukhed Taluka in Nanded district. Officials said all districts are being regularly updated through central agencies, IMD, and NRSC. Weather alerts are also being sent to citizens through the SACHET platform.