Unseasonal showers and stormy skies have gripped large parts of India as a pre-monsoon weather system builds strength in the Arabian Sea. Cities like Pune, Bengaluru, and Guwahati have already witnessed heavy downpours, offering temporary relief from the summer heat but also causing traffic disruptions, localised flooding, and power interruptions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this active spell of rainfall is far from over, with fresh alerts issued for South Peninsular India, Maharashtra, and now Gujarat, as the weather system intensifies over the coming days.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai has noted the development of a cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea, off the Karnataka coast.
This system is likely to evolve into a low-pressure area by May 22 and may further intensify. It will likely continue to feed rain-bearing clouds across western and southern states, increasing rainfall activity and storm potential in several districts for the coming week.
South India: Rainfall to continue
From Wednesday, southern India is expected to experience widespread rainfall and thunderstorm.
Kerala and Karnataka will experience rainfall, frequently accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph. These conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, indicating either a strong pre-monsoon phase or an early onset of the southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are likely to see scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, also accompanied by lightning, thunder, and winds up to 30–40 kmph. The rainfall across these regions will remain patchy but locally intense, especially during afternoon and evening hours.
Also Read | Heavy rain alert: From Delhi to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat to Northeast, IMD forecasts thundershowers in 10+ states. Here's full weather update
Coastal Karnataka will likely witness heavy rainfall from May 22 to 26, particularly on May 22, 25, and 26, while North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka are under heavy rain watch on May 20–21 and May 25–26 respectively.
Of particular concern is the likelihood of extremely heavy rain in north Kerala on May 20 and over the coastal and Ghat areas of Karnataka on May 20 and 21, where risks of landslides, flooding, and transport disruption remain high.
Gujarat: Heavy rain & thunderstorms
Adding to the western region's weather activity, Gujarat is also poised for a spell of unseasonal rain and thunderstorms, triggered by an upper air cyclonic circulation over the northeast Arabian Sea.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall from Wednesday through Sunday, but the more intense weather is expected from Thursday to Saturday, when thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely across several parts of the state.
The heaviest spells are expected in Chhota Udepur and Narmada districts on Thursday, followed by Navsari and Valsad on Friday and Saturday.
In Saurashtra, Amreli and Bhavnagar may also see heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms during this period. These developments mark the second round of unseasonal rain for Gujarat this month, and authorities are advising caution, especially in agriculture zones, where crop damage from wind and excessive moisture may be a concern.
Heat & Humidity: A mixed bag
While much of South and West India will be under the influence of cloud cover and showers, intermittent heat and humidity may persist in areas where rainfall is light or scattered.
There are no active heat wave warnings for South India during this period, but daytime discomfort and warm nights could still affect Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Telangana.
In contrast, severe heat wave conditions are ongoing in Rajasthan and parts of northwest India, where temperatures remain elevated. Residents in those areas are urged to continue heat safety precautions as the monsoon has yet to ease summer extremes in northern plains.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this active spell of rainfall is far from over, with fresh alerts issued for South Peninsular India, Maharashtra, and now Gujarat, as the weather system intensifies over the coming days.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai has noted the development of a cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea, off the Karnataka coast.
This system is likely to evolve into a low-pressure area by May 22 and may further intensify. It will likely continue to feed rain-bearing clouds across western and southern states, increasing rainfall activity and storm potential in several districts for the coming week.
South India: Rainfall to continue
From Wednesday, southern India is expected to experience widespread rainfall and thunderstorm.
Kerala and Karnataka will experience rainfall, frequently accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph. These conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, indicating either a strong pre-monsoon phase or an early onset of the southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are likely to see scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, also accompanied by lightning, thunder, and winds up to 30–40 kmph. The rainfall across these regions will remain patchy but locally intense, especially during afternoon and evening hours.
Also Read | Heavy rain alert: From Delhi to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat to Northeast, IMD forecasts thundershowers in 10+ states. Here's full weather update
Coastal Karnataka will likely witness heavy rainfall from May 22 to 26, particularly on May 22, 25, and 26, while North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka are under heavy rain watch on May 20–21 and May 25–26 respectively.
Of particular concern is the likelihood of extremely heavy rain in north Kerala on May 20 and over the coastal and Ghat areas of Karnataka on May 20 and 21, where risks of landslides, flooding, and transport disruption remain high.
Gujarat: Heavy rain & thunderstorms
Adding to the western region's weather activity, Gujarat is also poised for a spell of unseasonal rain and thunderstorms, triggered by an upper air cyclonic circulation over the northeast Arabian Sea.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall from Wednesday through Sunday, but the more intense weather is expected from Thursday to Saturday, when thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely across several parts of the state.
The heaviest spells are expected in Chhota Udepur and Narmada districts on Thursday, followed by Navsari and Valsad on Friday and Saturday.
In Saurashtra, Amreli and Bhavnagar may also see heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms during this period. These developments mark the second round of unseasonal rain for Gujarat this month, and authorities are advising caution, especially in agriculture zones, where crop damage from wind and excessive moisture may be a concern.
Heat & Humidity: A mixed bag
While much of South and West India will be under the influence of cloud cover and showers, intermittent heat and humidity may persist in areas where rainfall is light or scattered.
There are no active heat wave warnings for South India during this period, but daytime discomfort and warm nights could still affect Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Telangana.
In contrast, severe heat wave conditions are ongoing in Rajasthan and parts of northwest India, where temperatures remain elevated. Residents in those areas are urged to continue heat safety precautions as the monsoon has yet to ease summer extremes in northern plains.
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