Weather update: Goa on red alert till May 25; rainfall alert in these areas as well
PTC Web Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red and orange alert for several districts across Maharashtra and Goa, as a developing low-pressure system over the east-central Arabian Sea raises concerns about intense rainfall and potential cyclonic activity in the coming days.
According to IMD forecasts, the weather disturbance — located off the coasts of North Karnataka and Goa — is expected to intensify into a depression, significantly enhancing rainfall activity along the Konkan coastline and surrounding regions. While a full-fledged cyclone has not yet formed, the possibility of the system evolving into a cyclonic storm remains under observation, depending on how oceanic and atmospheric conditions unfold.
Goa on red alert till May 25
The IMD has placed Goa under a red alert until Sunday, May 25, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal state. On Thursday, Goa already experienced widespread showers, with Panjim in North Goa recording 9 cm of rain.
Responding to the warning, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is fully operational. “The SDMA is actively monitoring the situation 24x7 through its control rooms in North and South Goa to ensure timely assistance and response,” he said.
Mumbai, Raigad and Ratnagiri under alert
In Maharashtra, the IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai for May 23 and 24, cautioning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 km/h in isolated areas. A red alert has been issued for Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, indicating a high likelihood of extremely heavy downpours on Friday.
Alerts for Thane, Palghar, Sindhudurg, Pune and Satara Ghats
The orange alert has also been extended to additional regions including Thane, Palghar, Sindhudurg, and the ghats of Pune and Satara. On Friday, Mumbai experienced light rainfall with persistent cloud cover, while forecasts indicate heavier showers are expected soon.
The inclement weather has already begun to disrupt local infrastructure. A massive traffic jam was reported along the Bhiwandi-Wada Road in Thane district, where heavy rainfall damaged the road surface, creating large potholes. The situation worsened due to ongoing road construction, severely affecting traffic flow.
While the western coast braces for heavy rains, the national capital Delhi is expected to see partly cloudy skies with light to very light rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on Friday. The IMD has warned of gusty winds between 40–50 km/h, which could increase to 60 km/h in certain locations during the night. Dusty winds are also likely as a result of these thunderstorm conditions.
- With inputs from agencies
