Monsoon Nears Kerala as IMD Predicts Rain, Thunderstorms Across India

New Delhi: Most states in India, facing scorching heat, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that the monsoon could arrive in Kerala on May 26. Although heavy rains continue in the southern Indian state, the department has not made an official announcement regarding the monsoon, stating that conditions remain favorable for its advance.

Where has the monsoon reached?

The IMD on Tuesday said that conditions are favorable for further advance into the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, the Comorin region, the Bay of Bengal, and the remaining Andaman and Nicobar Islands over the next two to three days. This now indicates that the monsoon may take longer to reach Kerala. However, the normal date for its entry into the state is June 1.

Will it rain this week?

The Northwest is expected to be the worst affected by the intense heat. The IMD has now predicted rain in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on May 28 and 29. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and eastern Uttar Pradesh are expected to experience light to moderate rain on May 27. Rain is also possible in Rajasthan on May 28 and 29.

The IMD said that very heavy rain is expected in Bihar, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim on May 26 and 27. Similar weather conditions may develop in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 29 and 31. Scattered rain is forecast in Jharkhand from May 28 to 31, Odisha from May 26 to 28, and Gangetic West Bengal on May 26 and 30.

Alert in many districts of Kerala

The IMD has predicted heavy rains in most parts of Kerala. A yellow alert has also been issued for four districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam. Except for Ernakulam, a yellow alert has been issued for the other three districts on Wednesday as well.

Very heavy rainfall is possible over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on May 26. Similar weather conditions are expected over Kerala on May 26-27 and May 30-31. Heavy rainfall is expected over Lakshadweep on May 30 and 31, and over north interior Karnataka on May 27.

What about Delhi?

Delhi experienced scorching heat on Monday, with the maximum temperature rising above 43 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest night in May in nearly 14 years in the national capital. The IMD has issued a 'yellow alert' for Tuesday, with the maximum temperature likely to hover around 44 degrees Celsius.