India is expected to experience widespread rainfall and thunderstorms through the end of this week as two major weather systems continue to influence the country’s atmosphere. According to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are forecast across several regions from October 30 to November 2.
The prevailing weather conditions are being driven by the combined impact of the remnants of Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha over the Bay of Bengal and a depression over the east-central Arabian Sea, the IMD said.
Rain, Thunderstorms in East and Northeast India
The weather department reported that light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Bihar could see isolated very heavy showers on October 30, while extremely heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on October 31.
“Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph is likely over East Madhya Pradesh on October 30, and over East India during the next two to three days,” the IMD said. Similar conditions are forecast for Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh on October 30 and 31, and Madhya Pradesh during the next five days.
Gujarat, Maharashtra Brace for Heavy Rain and Coastal Winds
Between October 30 and November 1, Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch are expected to witness light to moderate rain with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. The IMD has also predicted thunderstorms with lightning across the Gujarat region, with coastal wind speeds reaching up to 65 kmph.
Rough sea conditions are expected along the north and south Gujarat coasts, combined with strong winds over the northeast Arabian Sea. The Saurashtra and Kutch regions are likely to be among the worst-affected areas by October 31, with rainfall extending inland and persistent thunderstorms and strong winds continuing till at least November 2.
In Maharashtra, similar thunderstorm and lightning activity is likely over the next two days, especially in the central and northern parts of the state.
Rainfall Predicted in Arunachal, Assam, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh
The IMD has also forecast light to moderate rain or thunderstorms at several places in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland between October 31 and November 1.
In eastern Uttar Pradesh, rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are expected on October 31, with wind speeds reaching 30–40 kmph. Under the influence of an approaching Western Disturbance, light to moderate rain or snowfall is also likely over northwestern India between November 3 and 5, the IMD added.
IMD Advisory
The weather agency has urged residents, especially in coastal and hilly areas, to remain alert and avoid venturing into rough seas. Farmers have also been advised to postpone harvesting activities and protect harvested crops from heavy rain and strong winds.
As both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal systems continue to influence the Indian subcontinent, unsettled weather is expected to persist across many parts of the country into the first week of November.