Orange Alert for Heavy Rains & Hailstorms as Summer Showers Sweep East, NE India
Although most of the country experienced rain surpluses through April, the northeastern states experienced unusual deficits last month. The lack of rain led in greater temperatures over the northeast, and despite above-normal rains, the situation was not much better in the eastern states.
The seven sister states, together with West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Sikkim, will, however, likely begin May on a wet note, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has anticipated substantial precipitation activity for the region.
A trough stretching over Northeast India will influence the weather over the region, according to The Weather Channel India's met team. The rainfall activity in East India will be fueled by southwesterly damp winds from the Bay of Bengal.
Heavy rains (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) are expected in isolated locations over Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura on Monday and Tuesday (May 1-2), and across Assam and Meghalaya until Thursday (May 4).
On Monday, hailstorms are expected in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim, with heavy rainfall anticipated in the states over the next 48 hours. From Wednesday onwards, East India should see a gradual decrease in rainfall activity.
Given the humid circumstances, the IMD has issued an orange warning for Sikkim, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, advising residents to 'be prepared' for rain and hail. From Tuesday onwards, a yellow watch (which means 'be updated') will replace the alert.
The Northeast Indian states would remain under a yellow watch for the duration of the prediction. Today, major districts such as Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Ranchi, Bokaro, Jamtara, and West Singhbhum would also be on orange alert.
Meanwhile, despite the impending rains, the northeast and many parts of east India are expected to receive below-average rainfall in May, according to the IMD's monthly outlook. Furthermore, most of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal are expected to have above-normal heatwave days this month.
In April, all three meteorological subdivisions in the northeast experienced significant rainfall deficits ranging from 25% to 53%. Meanwhile, eastern states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal experienced up to 85% excesses.
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