New Delhi, March 22 - The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a high-impact weather warning for several regions across the country, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and winds gusting up to 60 km/h in the next 24 to 48 hours.
The weather alert affects a large swathe of central, eastern, northeastern, and southern India, with northern and northwestern regions expected to see a gradual rise in temperatures over the coming days.
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, the past 24 hours witnessed intense rainfall and hail activity in several states, including: Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala experienced heavy to very heavy rain; Vidarbha, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana reported widespread hailstorms. This unseasonal weather event has already impacted agricultural activity and disrupted local transport in some affected areas.
The IMD outlined its high-impact weather forecast for March 22–23. Regions under alert on March 22 include East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Kerala, which are facing strong winds (40–60 km/h) and thunderstorm activity. Simultaneously, heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms were expected to hit Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Interior Karnataka.
Moreover, a very heavy rainfall warning was issued for Jharkhand, Odisha, South Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Mahe, while West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and South Interior Karnataka were under a hailstorm alert.
On March 23, weather forecasts predict continued rain, thunderstorms, and hail activity in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Additionally, the IMD has extended a five-day warning for Arunachal Pradesh, forecasting continuous rainfall, frequent lightning, and localized thunderstorms and gusty winds.
For Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over the next three to four days. Similarly, persistent rainfall and thunderstorm activity are predicted for southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana, and Interior Karnataka over the next 3–4 days.
Despite the widespread rain in various parts of India, the IMD has projected a gradual rise in maximum temperatures across most regions: Northwest India is expected to see daytime temperatures rise by 3–4°C after March 23, while Central India anticipates a 2–3°C increase over the next few days. Southern India is also likely to experience a climb of 2–3°C over the coming 72 hours.
The IMD has urged residents and local authorities in vulnerable regions to take certain precautionary measures, such as avoiding outdoor activities during thunderstorms or hailstorms and staying indoors when lightning or strong winds are forecast. Residents are also advised to secure loose outdoor objects to prevent storm damage and protect standing crops, especially in regions forecasted for hail. Farmers in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, where rabi crops are nearing harvest, are encouraged to harvest and store produce safely to minimize potential damage.
In summary, the IMD has reiterated the need for vigilance and caution amidst the challenging weather conditions, as the coming days could see various states facing intense rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms.
