Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds for Mumbai between May 21 and 24. This comes in the wake of a cyclonic circulation forming over the east-central Arabian Sea, off the Karnataka coast. The sudden downpour on Tuesday already brought parts of the city to a halt, with waterlogging and flooding disrupting traffic in several key areas.
According to officials, the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai experienced the heaviest rainfall, described as a high-intensity pre-monsoon event. The weather department warns that a low-pressure area is expected to develop in the same region around May 22, likely intensifying and moving northwards, which may further enhance rainfall activity across Maharashtra.
“There is a possibility of heavy rainfall with thunder at some places, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 km/h or more in isolated areas,” said Shubhangi Bhute, a Met department official. The areas expected to be most affected include south Konkan, Mumbai, and parts of south-central Maharashtra.
Delhi: Relief may be on the horizon for Delhi residents as the IMD predicts thunderstorms with rain on Wednesday, May 21, and again on Thursday. The capital has been reeling under a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 41.8°C on Tuesday, along with high humidity that made conditions particularly uncomfortable.
Wednesday’s forecast suggests a minimum temperature of around 28°C and a maximum of 39°C. The rain may bring temporary relief, especially in urban and densely populated regions. A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has noted troubling climate trends in North India, including warmer nights, increasing humidity, and growing heat exposure in cities like Delhi, which now falls under a high to very high heat risk category.
West Bengal: In eastern India, West Bengal is also on alert. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in the northern districts and thunderstorms across the southern part of the state until Friday. An upper air cyclonic circulation over northern Bangladesh, combined with favorable wind patterns from the Bay of Bengal, is responsible for the expected weather conditions.
Districts in south Bengal such as Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, West and East Burdwan, West Midnapore, Birbhum, and Murshidabad are likely to receive rainfall. Northern districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri may see more intense rain.
Southern States: Southern India continues to be battered by torrential rains. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu reported eight fatalities in rain-related incidents. Karnataka recorded five deaths—three of which occurred in Bengaluru—while three others were killed in a wall collapse in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for these states from May 20 to 22, warning of more heavy rain and strong winds. In Kerala, heavy rainfall is forecast for the next seven days. Several districts, including Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Malappuram, experienced significant downpours on Tuesday.
In a notable development, the IMD anticipates that the southwest monsoon could reach Kerala within the next four to five days—potentially making it the earliest onset since 2009, well ahead of the usual June 1 date.
