The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several northeastern and eastern states as the Southwest Monsoon continues to advance across the country. According to the latest update, the monsoon has covered the remaining parts of the northeastern region, the whole of Sikkim and parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and coastal Karnataka over the coming days. The weather office has also indicated that conditions remain favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh during the next four to five days.
The IMD said, “Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu & southwest Bay of Bengal, some more parts of westcentral & northwest Bay of Bengal and West Bengal, some parts of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand & Odisha during next 4-5 days.”
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Heatwave tightens grip over north and central India
While monsoon activity gathers pace in parts of the country, severe heat continues to affect large stretches of north and central India. The IMD reported maximum temperatures touching 46 C in several regions on Tuesday, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, northern Madhya Pradesh, parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded the highest temperature of 46.6 C on 9 June. A yellow alert has been issued for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Heatwave conditions are likely to continue over parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and isolated pockets of East Uttar Pradesh on 10 June. Similar conditions are expected to persist across West Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi until 11 June. Odisha and Goa are also likely to experience hot and humid weather over the next few days.
Dust storms, thunderstorms and hail likely
The IMD has forecast dust storms in Rajasthan on 11 June, along with strong thunderstorms across several northern states.
“Thundersquall (wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph) likely over Haryana Chandigarh & Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh during 11th-12th June; East Uttar Pradesh on 12th June; East Rajasthan and West Rajasthan during 11th-13th June,” the department said.
It added, “Isolated Hailstorm activity likely over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Punjab and Uttarakhand during 11th-12th June; West Uttar Pradesh on 12th June.”
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Delhi likely to get relief after intense heat
After witnessing an intense windstorm, Delhi is expected to see changing weather conditions throughout the day. The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies in the morning, becoming generally cloudy later.
“A spell of very light rain/light rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning/dust storm and strong wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph towards evening/night,” the weather bulletin said.
An orange alert has been issued for the national capital on 11 June, followed by a yellow warning on 12 June. The city’s maximum temperature is expected to drop sharply by 7-8 C by 12 June after a brief rise today. On Tuesday, the Ridge station recorded Delhi’s highest temperature at 44.7 C, while Lodhi Road registered 44 C.
