Orange alerts are active in six states as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nationwide weather alert this week. Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of West Bengal are on high alert.
Large-scale storm activity is already underway across the country. Thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, and hail are expected across eastern, central, and northeastern India.
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As per the report of the Times of India, IMD scientist Akhil Shrivastava confirmed the scale of the situation. He said, "A large-scale thunderstorm activity is currently being witnessed across India. In Delhi, rainfall activity occurred yesterday and resulted a significant drop in maximum temperatures. Our forecast indicates that similar intermittent rainfall activity is likely to occur during the evening hours today. However, this activity is expected to subside in Delhi starting tomorrow, with the probability of rain decreasing from tomorrow onwards."
He further added, "While conditions are mainly cloudy today, they are expected to become partly cloudy tomorrow. Compared to yesterday, a slight further decline of about 2-3C may be observed in maximum temperatures today. Nevertheless, temperatures are expected to begin rising again after tomorrow."
On the broader alert, Shrivastava warned, "Wind speeds in eastern India may reach 60 to 70 kmph, posing potential risks."
States facing the worst conditions
According to the report of the Times of India, Eastern and northeastern states are bearing the brunt of the severe weather. Odisha may see winds up to 70 kmph alongside possible hailstorms. Gangetic West Bengal could witness thundersqualls touching 80 kmph. The Sub-Himalayan belt covering northern West Bengal and Sikkim faces heavy to very heavy rain from March 21 through March 24.
In the northeast, fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected over Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh may receive isolated heavy rain by March 24. Scattered rainfall along with strong winds is also forecast for Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh through the week.
Hills, plains, and southern states
The weatherman has predicted a fresh wet spell to hit northwest India from March 23. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand can expect light to moderate rain and snowfall at higher altitudes. Eastern Uttar Pradesh may also see fairly widespread rain with gusts reaching up to 40 kmph.
Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa will stay hot and humid despite the national weather pattern. Maharashtra and other southern states may see scattered rainfall over the coming days.
