IMD issues orange alert in 3 regions as heatwave and storm activity grip parts of India

India is set to witness a mix of extreme heat and severe weather conditions on May 3, according to the India Meteorological Department. Several states have been placed under alert as temperatures soar in some regions, while others brace for storms and rainfall.

A day after Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer recorded a scorching 44.4C, the weather department has warned of heatwave conditions over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. At the same time, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience hailstorm activity, while Chhattisgarh may face thundersqualls. These developments have prompted the IMD to issue an orange alert for these regions.

Southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to face hot and humid conditions. In contrast, northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall until May 4.

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Temperature dip expected in Northwest India

The IMD has forecast a gradual drop of 2 to 3C in maximum temperatures across northwest India until May 5, with no major changes expected thereafter. This shift is linked to an incoming western disturbance that may bring rainfall to the region.

“Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (speed reaching 30-50 kmph) likely over Punjab during 03rd-06th; Haryana, Chandigarh during 03rd-06th; isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph) likely over Rajasthan during 03rd-08th; West Uttar Pradesh during 03rd-06th; East Uttar Pradesh during 04th-07th May,” IMD's press release dated 2 May states.

Rain, thunderstorms likely in East and Central India

Eastern regions are expected to see widespread rainfall, particularly over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds and hailstorms may impact parts of the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains until May 6.

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“Thundersquall (wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph) likely over West Bengal & Sikkim, Odisha on 04th & 05th; Jharkhand on 04th; Bihar on 04th & 06th May.”

The IMD also flagged the possibility of hailstorms in Jharkhand and Bihar on May 4 and heavy rainfall in select areas.

Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal and parts of the Bay of Bengal on May 3 and 4 due to rough weather conditions.

In Delhi, a slight dip in daytime temperatures is expected, along with light rainfall and thunderstorms. “Partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy sky towards the afternoon. A spell of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and strong winds, speed 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph during the afternoon to evening.”