(Image source from: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
On Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning of heavy rainfall in Kerala from 20-21 May. Heavy rainfall is also expected in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka over the next four days. Meanwhile, IMD predicts a heatwave for five days in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, and four days in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. In a special message, IMD reported of two cyclonic circulations, one over south Tamil Nadu and the other over Rayalaseema and adjoining north Tamil Nadu. IMD also expects light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, and south Karnataka due to a trough running from south Chhattisgarh to the Comorin area.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal from May 17-21, as well as for Kerala and Mahe from May 17-19. South Interior Karnataka has also been warned with an orange alert from May 20-21. The IMD has further issued a red alert for Kerala on May 20-21 due to the possibility of "isolated extremely heavy rainfall". Dr Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at IMD, has stated that heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and South Karnataka for the next five days. While Northwest India experienced isolated rainfall from April to the last few days, temperatures in several states are likely to reach as high as 45 degrees Celsius in May. Dr Kumar added that Rajasthan has already reached 45 degrees Celsius, with Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh near 44 degrees Celsius. Heatwave conditions are expected in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for the next five days, as well as in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar for four days.
The IMD forecaster warned that there may be some light thunderstorms that could result in a decrease in temperature. The bulletin from the IMD mentioned that certain regions of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh will experience heatwave conditions over the upcoming five-day period. Additionally, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha may also experience heatwaves on 20-21 May.
