Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees, and secure loose objects
KRC TIMES Assam Bureau
Guwahati : A sharp weather contrast has emerged across the country, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a prolonged spell of rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Northeast India over the next five days, even as northern and central regions grapple with intense heatwave conditions.
The IMD said fairly widespread to widespread rainfall accompanied by lightning and winds of up to 50 kmph is expected across the region through the week. Alerts for very heavy rainfall have been issued for Assam and Meghalaya from April 27 to 30, and for Arunachal Pradesh from April 30 to May 2. States including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are also likely to receive heavy rainfall until May 1.
The department has further warned of thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching up to 70 kmph in several areas, raising the risk of damage to infrastructure and crops.
In contrast, parts of north and central India are experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 46.9°C in Akola. Heatwave conditions have been reported in Vidarbha and regions of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, though these are expected to ease gradually in the coming days.
In the Northeast, the ongoing and forecast rainfall may trigger waterlogging, urban flooding, and landslides in hill districts, along with damage to plantations and disruptions to power and communication lines. The impact is already visible, with Tripura recording very heavy rainfall of up to 13 cm and Meghalaya receiving up to 9 cm in the past 24 hours. Wind speeds have also reached as high as 113 kmph in parts of the region.
Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees, and secure loose objects. Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the Bay of Bengal until May 2 due to rough sea conditions.
Meteorologists attribute the wet spell to multiple cyclonic circulations over Assam and adjoining areas, along with a trough system that is intensifying moisture inflow across the Northeast.
