Bengaluru flooded, 3 dead; 7 killed by lightning in Jharkhand & Maharashtra; heatwave grips North India
PTC Web Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather alert across multiple regions of the country, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, lightning, and heatwave conditions. As of Tuesday, alerts have been issued in at least 11 states, including Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, with significant weather-related incidents reported in several areas.
Five persons lost their lives in Jharkhand due to lightning strikes, while two deaths were reported in Maharashtra. The IMD has issued heavy rainfall warnings for 13 states, including Jharkhand and Bihar.
Since Monday, Bengaluru has been experiencing intense rainfall, leading to severe waterlogging across most roads in the city. Over 500 homes were inundated. Tragedy struck BTM Layout where a 12-year-old boy and a 63-year-old man were electrocuted in a waterlogged apartment complex. In another incident in Whitefield, a 35-year-old woman died after a wall collapsed due to the rain. The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for Bengaluru on Tuesday, warning of continued heavy showers.
Heatwave grips Northern India
The IMD has issued heatwave alerts for Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh. In the plains, Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) recorded a scorching 46°C, while Banda (Uttar Pradesh) emerged as the hottest location in the country at 46.6°C.
Red alert in Kerala, heavy rain forecast in Sikkim
A Red Alert has been issued for four districts in Kerala — Wayanad, Kasaragod, Kannur, and Kozhikode — due to intense and continuous rainfall. An Orange Alert is in effect for Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur, while Yellow Alerts are active in Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta. The IMD has cautioned that persistent rain, particularly in hilly areas, may trigger landslides.
Meanwhile, due to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal and increased moisture levels, Sikkim is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall. The IMD has warned of potential flooding and landslides in vulnerable regions.
Southwest monsoon advances
On May 19, the IMD announced further advancement of the southwest monsoon, predicting heavy rainfall over the central and northeastern Bay of Bengal in the next two–three days.
In coastal areas such as Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, thunderstorms with light to moderate rain are likely at isolated locations. Wind speeds in these areas may reach 40–50 km/h.
Weather forecast for May 21
On May 21, the following states are expected to experience heavy rainfall:
Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Additionally, thunderstorms with strong winds have been forecasted in: Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Western Rajasthan may continue to suffer from heatwave conditions.
May 22: Rain and dust storms across India
On May 22, an Orange Alert has been issued for parts of Maharashtra due to heavy rain. Rainfall is also predicted in 23 states, including: Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Bihar, Konkan, Goa, Telangana, Marathwada, Madhya Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Rajasthan is expected to witness heatwave conditions and dust storms.
In Rajasthan, the intense heat continues with temperatures exceeding 45°C in Churu, Bikaner, and Tonk. However, in Udaipur, a sudden change in weather brought heavy winds and rainfall on Monday afternoon. A boat with approximately 35 tourists capsised in Fatehsagar Lake due to rough weather, but all passengers were saved thanks to life jackets.
Rain and thunderstorms continue in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is set to witness its 20th consecutive day of rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday. The IMD has issued an alert for strong winds and rainfall across 40 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior. On Monday, over 20 districts received significant rainfall, with strong winds blowing off tin roofs in areas like Mhow (Indore) and Barwani.
Severe weather alert in Bihar
The IMD has issued a thunderstorm and lightning alert for all 38 districts of Bihar. Wind speeds may reach 60 km/h in 27 districts and 40 km/h in 11 others. On Monday, districts, including Madhepura and Bhagalpur, experienced heavy rain, and hailstorms were reported in Bhagalpur.
Heatwave in Haryana and school timing changes
A Yellow Alert for heatwave conditions has been issued in Haryana for May 20–21. On Monday, maximum temperatures in the state exceeded 45°C, causing extreme discomfort. In response, school hours in Fatehabad have been revised to protect students from the intense heat.
Rainfall forecast for Jharkhand
The Ranchi Weather Centre has forecast heavy rain in Santhal Pargana and issued a Yellow Alert for Deoghar, Dumka, Pakur, Godda, Jamtara, Sahibganj, Dhanbad, and Giridih. Ranchi and nearby districts are also expected to receive showers with strong winds by afternoon.
Punjab Weather update
The IMD predicts dry weather in Punjab on May 20. After a slight dip in temperatures over the last two days, a marginal rise is expected on Tuesday. On Monday, Rupnagar and Pathankot witnessed light rain and gusty winds.
- With inputs from agencies
