New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) The weather across the country is set to change once again as the southwest monsoon continues to retreat and the northeast monsoon prepares to become active over southern India.
A western disturbance has begun influencing weather conditions in North India, bringing the possibility of rain, strong winds and hailstorms across several states, including Delhi-NCR. Heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of South India from Thursday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorms and lightning are likely in several parts of the country on Thursday. In its forecast, the IMD has predicted rain and strong winds across the plains of Northwest India.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe. Heavy rain is also possible in isolated areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh and south interior Karnataka. These conditions are expected to bring significant weather changes across different regions over the next few days.
The southwest monsoon continues to withdraw from the country. According to the IMD, the withdrawal line on October 14 passed through Dhubri, Kolkata, Angul, Khammam and Honavar. Conditions are becoming favourable for its withdrawal from additional areas.
The southwest monsoon typically brings rainfall to most parts of the country between June and September. As it weakens and retreats, the northeast monsoon becomes active over southern India. During this transitional period, different weather systems can influence various parts of the country simultaneously.
The Western Disturbance continues to affect weather conditions in North India. After scattered rainfall in Delhi-NCR on October 14, more rain is expected across several areas on Thursday. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in some parts of Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab. Rain is also likely in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan.
The possibility of hailstorms could further aggravate weather conditions in some regions. Hailstorms are likely in isolated areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected across these areas.
The weather department has warned of strong winds in several parts of North India. Wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph are likely in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and Uttarakhand, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph in some locations. Winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected in parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Rain and lightning are also possible in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon is expected to become active over the southern peninsula from Thursday. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh and the south of interior Karnataka.
Thunderstorms and lightning are expected in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe, indicating a spell of unsettled weather across several parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi remained in the moderate category.
Jharoda Kalan (152), Tikri Kalan (113), Sirifort (217), Nangloi (138), Ghoga (146), Aya Nagar (162), Chandni Chowk (200), Burari Crossing (179), Alipur (220), and Dwarka-Sector 8 (205).
–IANS
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