New Delhi, 18 June (H.S.):

Light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds is likely across Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India between June 19 and 22, while conditions have become favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon over several parts of the country, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD said Delhi is likely to witness light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds blowing at speeds of 40-50 kmph during the morning or afternoon of June 19. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to range between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.

Similar weather conditions are expected on June 20, with the maximum temperature likely to settle between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius.

On June 21, light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds is likely during the afternoon and evening hours. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to range between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather department, heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places over Northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim during the week.

Heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in parts of Vidarbha, Telangana, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh until June 20. At the same time, weather conditions are favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh during the next four to five days.

Across northwest India, isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, West Rajasthan, and West Uttar Pradesh between June 19 and 22. Wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are also likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab during the same period.

Light to moderate rainfall, along with heavy rainfall at isolated places, is expected across parts of Central India, East India, Northeast India, West India, and Peninsular India over the next six days. These regions are also likely to experience strong winds during this period.

The IMD said maximum temperatures over Central India are expected to rise gradually by 2-3 degrees Celsius until June 20, after which no significant change is anticipated. In contrast, maximum temperatures over East India are likely to decline gradually by 2-3 degrees Celsius until June 20 before stabilising.

Heatwave conditions are also very likely over eastern Uttar Pradesh between June 19 and 24, and over Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Telangana, and Vidarbha on June 19 and 20.

Notably, the IMD had earlier forecast partly cloudy skies over Delhi on Wednesday, with light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds of 40-50 kmph during the afternoon or evening.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar