The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for a severe heatwave in Uttar Pradesh today. Simultaneously, a red alert for heavy rainfall is in place for the northeastern states of West Bengal and Sikkim, while an orange alert has been issued for Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Heatwave conditions are expected to subside in Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. However, Haryana and Delhi will continue to experience heat waves with increased intensity on June 23.
The monsoon is making its presence felt in the south and northeast. The weather department, in its press release dated June 19, stated that widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, and sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the next five days. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also anticipated over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during the same period.
The weather agency forecasts heavy rainfall in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra until June 23. Moderate rainfall is expected in some regions of Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry till June 23.
Regarding the heatwave, IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar stated that while a red alert was issued for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi NCR, and Uttar Pradesh yesterday, the conditions have improved today. He added that the monsoon is likely to reach Delhi-NCR around June 30. Some rainfall activity has already been observed in Bihar.
An orange alert for heatwaves remains in place for Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi NCR until June 21.
