The pre-monsoon spell is gathering force across India, bringing cloudy skies, strong winds, and a significant dip in temperature in many regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a heavy rain warning from 20 to 23 May across several states, particularly in the south and west, due to a cyclonic circulation brewing over the Arabian Sea.
In a statement on Sunday, the IMD said, “Under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the east-central Arabian Sea around May 22 and it is likely to move northwards and intensify further.”
IMD Weather Update: Cyclonic system intensifies over Arabian Sea
A cyclonic wind pattern has developed around 1.5 km above sea level from southern Gujarat to the northeastern Arabian Sea. This circulation is expected to impact Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh till 23 May. Another cyclonic system may also form in the Arabian Sea on 22 May, likely intensifying the weather activity further.
The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in these states in the coming days. Karnataka has been issued a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms until 22 May, with temperatures expected to range between 20 and 33°C. Kerala has been placed under an orange alert till 24 May due to the advancing southwest monsoon, expected to bring strong winds, lightning and heavy rainfall.
Also Read: Will Bengaluru weather improve today? IMD says likely not, extends rainfall alert until Sunday
Heavy rain disrupts life in Bengaluru
Bengaluru has already begun feeling the effects. The city recorded 105.5 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 am on 19 May. This is the heaviest May rainfall in two years, though still below the all-time record of 153.9 mm set in 1909.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, “Our officers are working to mitigate issues of waterlogging and traffic in Bengaluru after it witnessed a very heavy rainfall on May 18 and 19.”
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru till Friday, warning of continued moderate rainfall. In southern Karnataka, extremely heavy rain is expected over coastal areas on 20 May, with widespread effects in both interior and coastal regions till 22 May.
North India sees cloudy skies and cool winds
The northern states have seen cloudy skies and strong winds since Monday evening, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Delhi recorded gusty winds and light rain earlier this week.
The Safdarjung Observatory reported a minimum temperature of 29°C, while maximums hovered around 39°C. Thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall are likely to continue in Delhi and across parts of north-west India till Saturday.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has forecast Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) will fluctuate between ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ due to dust-laden winds from Pakistan and western Rajasthan.
Weather Today: Storms and damage reported in Himachal and Tripura
Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi and Shimla districts experienced thunderstorms and hailstorms on Monday. An orange alert has been issued for Una and Shimla, while yellow warnings are in effect for districts such as Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan.
PTI reported that the Pandoh Dam authorities have warned tourists and locals not to approach the River Beas due to rising water levels. In Lahaul and Spiti, flash floods have blocked the Sansari-Killar-Tindi-Thirot road, prompting police to advise against travel.
In the northeast, 72 houses were damaged in Tripura’s Khowai district due to heavy rain. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely to continue across Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh over the next week.
Weather Forecast: Rain across central and eastern states
Central and eastern regions — including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Jharkhand — will also experience rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching up to 60-70 kmph. The IMD forecasts isolated heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Vidarbha till midweek.
Odisha will see hot and humid weather today, while West Rajasthan is expected to face heatwave conditions between 19 and 22 May, with warm nights continuing in some areas.
IMD Alert: Monsoon likely to arrive on time
The IMD has indicated that the monsoon may arrive in Kerala by 30 May, and Gujarat may see early showers ahead of the normal onset around 15 June.
While the cyclonic system over the Arabian Sea is expected to intensify and bring rain to the south and central parts of the country, the IMD has clarified that “the weather system developing in the Arabian Sea will not affect the country’s northern areas.”
With lightning, heavy rain, and gusty winds predicted across large parts of India, authorities have asked the public to remain alert. The IMD’s forecast also includes warnings of hailstorm and localised flooding in some regions.
Weather conditions remain unstable — and with multiple systems in play over land and sea — the week ahead is likely to remain unsettled.
In a statement on Sunday, the IMD said, “Under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the east-central Arabian Sea around May 22 and it is likely to move northwards and intensify further.”
IMD Weather Update: Cyclonic system intensifies over Arabian Sea
A cyclonic wind pattern has developed around 1.5 km above sea level from southern Gujarat to the northeastern Arabian Sea. This circulation is expected to impact Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh till 23 May. Another cyclonic system may also form in the Arabian Sea on 22 May, likely intensifying the weather activity further.
The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in these states in the coming days. Karnataka has been issued a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms until 22 May, with temperatures expected to range between 20 and 33°C. Kerala has been placed under an orange alert till 24 May due to the advancing southwest monsoon, expected to bring strong winds, lightning and heavy rainfall.
Also Read: Will Bengaluru weather improve today? IMD says likely not, extends rainfall alert until Sunday
Heavy rain disrupts life in Bengaluru
Bengaluru has already begun feeling the effects. The city recorded 105.5 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 am on 19 May. This is the heaviest May rainfall in two years, though still below the all-time record of 153.9 mm set in 1909.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, “Our officers are working to mitigate issues of waterlogging and traffic in Bengaluru after it witnessed a very heavy rainfall on May 18 and 19.”
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru till Friday, warning of continued moderate rainfall. In southern Karnataka, extremely heavy rain is expected over coastal areas on 20 May, with widespread effects in both interior and coastal regions till 22 May.
North India sees cloudy skies and cool winds
The northern states have seen cloudy skies and strong winds since Monday evening, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Delhi recorded gusty winds and light rain earlier this week.
The Safdarjung Observatory reported a minimum temperature of 29°C, while maximums hovered around 39°C. Thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall are likely to continue in Delhi and across parts of north-west India till Saturday.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has forecast Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) will fluctuate between ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ due to dust-laden winds from Pakistan and western Rajasthan.
Weather Today: Storms and damage reported in Himachal and Tripura
Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi and Shimla districts experienced thunderstorms and hailstorms on Monday. An orange alert has been issued for Una and Shimla, while yellow warnings are in effect for districts such as Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan.
PTI reported that the Pandoh Dam authorities have warned tourists and locals not to approach the River Beas due to rising water levels. In Lahaul and Spiti, flash floods have blocked the Sansari-Killar-Tindi-Thirot road, prompting police to advise against travel.
In the northeast, 72 houses were damaged in Tripura’s Khowai district due to heavy rain. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely to continue across Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh over the next week.
Weather Forecast: Rain across central and eastern states
Central and eastern regions — including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Jharkhand — will also experience rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching up to 60-70 kmph. The IMD forecasts isolated heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Vidarbha till midweek.
Odisha will see hot and humid weather today, while West Rajasthan is expected to face heatwave conditions between 19 and 22 May, with warm nights continuing in some areas.
IMD Alert: Monsoon likely to arrive on time
The IMD has indicated that the monsoon may arrive in Kerala by 30 May, and Gujarat may see early showers ahead of the normal onset around 15 June.
While the cyclonic system over the Arabian Sea is expected to intensify and bring rain to the south and central parts of the country, the IMD has clarified that “the weather system developing in the Arabian Sea will not affect the country’s northern areas.”
With lightning, heavy rain, and gusty winds predicted across large parts of India, authorities have asked the public to remain alert. The IMD’s forecast also includes warnings of hailstorm and localised flooding in some regions.
Weather conditions remain unstable — and with multiple systems in play over land and sea — the week ahead is likely to remain unsettled.
You may also like
Chhagan Bhujbal takes oath as Maharashtra minister
Head coach Moores extends Melbourne Stars contract until end of BBL 16
Study shows why psoriasis patients may be at risk of obesity, fatty liver disease
Drugs worth over Rs2,600 crore seized, more than 20,000 arrested in Assam since 2021: CM Sarma
Popular TV star Reem Shaikh admits her parents' fights affected her. 'I had a lot of anger'
