Bhopal, Oct 26 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meteorological Centre Bhopal, has issued a warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds in several parts of Madhya Pradesh over the next five days.
According to a press release issued on Monday, the weather system is being influenced by cyclonic storm “Arnab”, which lies over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.
The storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight of October 26 and further into a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27.
It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam around the forenoon of October 28 with maximum sustained winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph.
A western disturbance over north Haryana and an upper-air cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan are also present, while a fresh western disturbance is expected to affect northwest India from the night of October 27.
District-wise warnings indicate thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph or 40-50 kmph at many places, particularly in eastern and central Madhya Pradesh.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over districts including Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Mandla, Balaghat, Katni, Jabalpur, Seoni, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur and others on different days between October 26 and 30.
Western and northern districts such as Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Betul, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior and Morena may also experience thunderstorms and gusty winds.
IMD has cautioned about possible waterlogging in low-lying areas, rise in water levels of rivers and streams, disruption of traffic, damage to weak structures and temporary power outages.
Farmers have been advised to avoid irrigation, fertiliser application and spraying during rain, ensure proper drainage in fields, provide support to young plants, protect harvested produce and keep livestock in safe shelters.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, stay away from water bodies and follow official weather updates.
–IANS
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