IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Warnings as Southwest Monsoon Advances Across India

Weather Alerts from the India Meteorological Department

On Thursday, May 29, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) released weather advisories for various regions in India, cautioning residents about heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in southern, western, eastern, and northeastern parts of the country. The IMD noted that the Southwest Monsoon has progressed into additional areas of Maharashtra, the remaining sections of Karnataka, most of Telangana, parts of Andhra Pradesh, and some regions of Chhattisgarh and Odisha as of Wednesday. Conditions are favorable for the further advancement of the monsoon into more areas of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, the remaining northeastern states, and parts of West Bengal and Sikkim over the next two days.

The forecast indicates widespread light to moderate rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h, particularly affecting Kerala, Mahe, and Karnataka. Isolated instances of heavy to very heavy rainfall are anticipated in Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, and Kerala. Additionally, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal may experience isolated extremely heavy rainfall. Thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50–60 km/h, potentially gusting up to 70 km/h, are expected in Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema.

The IMD has also issued warnings for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the northeastern states and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim until May 30.