Heavy rains to lash Northeast, east India as monsoon advances; heatwave persists in parts of Maharashtra

THE India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya over the next six to seven days, as conditions remain favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon across large parts of the country.

According to the IMD, the monsoon is expected to progress into more areas of western, central and eastern India in the coming days.

"Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra, remaining parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, some more parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and some parts of South Chhattisgarh during next 4-5 days," the IMD said in a statement.

Monsoon march

The southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on 4 June, three days after its normal onset date of 1 June. It has already covered Kerala, Tamil Nadu, a large part of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and the entire northeastern region.

India receives nearly 70% of its annual rainfall through the southwest monsoon, making it critical for kharif sowing. A favourable monsoon can boost rural demand, support consumption and aid overall economic growth.

While eastern and northeastern states are likely to witness intense precipitation, heatwave conditions are expected to continue in isolated pockets of Marathwada and Vidarbha over the next three to four days.

Heatwave warning

The IMD has forecast a gradual increase in maximum temperatures across several parts of the country over the coming days, with heatwave conditions expected in parts of Maharashtra.

According to the latest weather outlook, maximum temperatures over northwest India are likely to rise by 4-6 degrees Celsius (°C) till 18 June. Thereafter, no significant change is expected.

Central India is also likely to witness a gradual rise in daytime temperatures till 16 June, followed by relatively stable conditions. In Maharashtra, temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged until 18 June. However, a gradual decline of 2-3°C is likely during 19-20 June.

No significant change in maximum temperatures is anticipated over the rest of the country through 19 June.

The IMD has issued a heatwave warning for isolated pockets of Marathwada from 15-17 June and Vidarbha from 15-16 June. Residents in these regions have been advised to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

Additionally, hot and humid conditions are likely to prevail over Konkan & Goa and Madhya Maharashtra between 15 and 17 June. Warm night conditions are also very likely in isolated areas of Konkan & Goa from 15-16 June, potentially causing discomfort due to limited nighttime cooling.

Maximum temperatures ranged from 36 to 40°C at many places across central and adjoining eastern India, parts of northwest India, Gujarat, interior Maharashtra, and Telangana on 13 June. Temperatures remained below 36°C across most other parts of the country.

The highest maximum temperature of 41.9°C was recorded in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

Fishermen alert

The IMD has issued a multi-day marine warning for fishermen operating in both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

In the Bay of Bengal, fishermen have been advised to avoid the Gulf of Mannar, Comorin region, Sri Lanka coast, large parts of the south Bay of Bengal, areas adjoining the Odisha coast, the Andaman Sea and parts of the Myanmar coast between 14 and 19 June.

In the Arabian Sea, fishermen have been advised not to venture along and off the Somalia and Oman coasts, as well as adjoining regions of the southwest, west-central and northeast Arabian Sea during the forecast period.