Mumbai, Bengal Brace for Downpour; Thunderstorms Likely in Delhi

New Delhi : As per the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is likely to impact multiple regions of the country including Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, and parts of South India over the next few days.

Mumbai witnessed intense pre-monsoon rainfall on Tuesday with thunderstorms and lightning, particularly affecting the city’s eastern and western suburbs. The IMD has forecast continued heavy rains between May 21 and 24 due to a cyclonic circulation forming over the east-central Arabian Sea, off the Karnataka coast.

A low-pressure system is expected to form around May 22, which may move northward and intensify, triggering more rainfall across Maharashtra. Areas likely to be affected include Mumbai, South Konkan, and South Central Maharashtra.

IMD official Shubhangi Bhute said that some places may experience gusty winds up to 40 kmph or more, along with thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

After days of extreme heat with temperatures reaching 41.8°C, the national capital is likely to receive some relief as the IMD has predicted thunderstorms with rain on Wednesday (May 21) and Thursday. The minimum temperature is expected to hover around 28°C, while the maximum may be around 39°C.

A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) warned that Delhi falls under a high to very high heat risk category, with trends indicating a rise in warm nights, higher humidity, and increased heat exposure in urban areas.

West Bengal is set to witness widespread weather activity till Friday, with heavy rain forecasted for North Bengal and thunderstorms across South Bengal, according to the IMD. This is due to a cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh and favourable wind patterns from the Bay of Bengal.

Districts expected to be impacted in South Bengal include Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, West and East Burdwan, West Midnapore, Birbhum, and Murshidabad. In North Bengal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar are likely to see intense rainfall.

Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people. Karnataka reported five fatalities, including three in Bengaluru, while three lives were lost in Madurai, Tamil Nadu due to a wall collapse.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and strong winds from May 20 to 22 across the southern states.

In Kerala, widespread rainfall continued, impacting districts like Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Malappuram. The IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala within the next 4 to 5 days, much ahead of the normal June 1 onset. If confirmed, it would mark the earliest monsoon onset over India since 2009.