India is currently experiencing a dramatic mix of weather conditions, ranging from heavy monsoon showers in the south to scorching heat and dust storms in the north. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple weather alerts as the country prepares for several days of volatile weather.
Earliest Monsoon Onset in Over a Decade
The southwest monsoon made an early entry into Kerala on Saturday, marking the fastest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009. Typically, the monsoon arrives in Kerala around June 1, but this year it set in more than a week earlier. In past years, the monsoon had reached Kerala on May 30 (2023), June 8 (2022), and May 29 (2022), highlighting the unusual early onset this season.
Heavy Rainfall in Southern and Western India
A depression forming over the east-central Arabian Sea near the Konkan coast has intensified, bringing intense rainfall and thunderstorms to parts of Maharashtra and Goa. IMD has issued red alerts for extreme rain over the Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra regions, particularly on May 24 and 25.
In Kerala, red alerts were issued for the northern districts of Kannur and Kasaragod, with orange alerts in place for the rest of the state. Coastal Karnataka and parts of Mahe are also expected to experience widespread downpours and gusty winds over the coming days.
Heatwave Grips the North
While the southern regions are drenched, northern states are battling an intense heatwave. West Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer recorded a staggering 48°C on May 23 — the highest temperature in the country so far this year. IMD has warned of a further rise in temperatures across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan in the next two days before conditions stabilize.
Thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds (40–50 kmph) are expected to sweep across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan between May 24 and 29, with chances of isolated hailstorms in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Storms in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana
Thundersqualls with wind speeds up to 70 kmph are likely to hit parts of Gujarat, especially Saurashtra and Kutch, on May 24. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are also on alert for strong squalls and heavy rains from May 26 onwards, with coastal regions bracing for wind gusts reaching 70 kmph.
Monsoon-like Conditions in the Northeast
The northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura are experiencing monsoon-like conditions, with widespread rainfall and gusty winds expected to persist through May 27. Localized heavy rainfall is also on the radar.
Scattered Rains in Central and Eastern India
Central states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and eastern regions such as Odisha and Bihar are forecast to witness thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over the next few days. Thundersqualls with wind speeds up to 70 kmph are expected in parts of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh on May 24 and 25.
Warm Nights and Rising Discomfort
Despite rainfall in some areas, IMD noted that minimum temperatures remain significantly above normal — over 5°C higher than average — across Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh. This trend is adding to the discomfort, especially during nighttime hours.