New Delhi, May 18 — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather alert for 16 Indian states, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds over the next 24 hours. Simultaneously, a heatwave alert is in effect for parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, as temperatures continue to soar past 45°C in several regions.
🌩️ Widespread Thunderstorms and Rainfall Expected
States under storm and rain warning include Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi-NCR, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya. The IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts depending on the severity.
In Bihar, 38 districts are under weather warning, with two fatalities reported in Gaya due to a collapsed wall during Saturday’s thunderstorm. Orange alerts have been issued for 26 districts, while 12 others are under yellow alert.
🌡️ Heatwave Continues in Northern India
The temperature has surged beyond 45°C in many parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In Rajasthan, Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest temperature at 46°C, while cities like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Churu reported temperatures exceeding 43°C. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heatwave in 5 districts and storm/rain alert in 14 districts of the state.
In Uttar Pradesh, the IMD predicts that heatwave conditions will continue for the next 3–4 days. Delhi is also under a yellow alert, with light rain expected between May 20 and 22.
🌀 Storm Damage in Delhi-NCR
On Saturday evening, Delhi-NCR was hit by strong winds and rainfall. At Ashok Nagar Rapid Metro Station, the metal roof was torn off and landed on the road. Uprooted trees were reported in several localities, disrupting traffic and public movement.
🌧️ Madhya Pradesh Records Sharp Weather Shift
In Madhya Pradesh, cities like Bhopal and Indore saw a dramatic change in weather by Saturday evening, with light rain in Bhopal and heavy downpour in Indore. In Gwalior, dust storms accompanied by drizzle were reported. The IMD has issued yellow alert for 21 districts across the state today.
🌦️ Monsoon Progress Update
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has advanced over the southern Arabian Sea, Maldives-Comorin region, southern Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and parts of east-central Bay of Bengal.
Meteorologist Dr. Naresh Kumar stated, “Conditions are favourable for further monsoon advancement over more regions of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the next 3–4 days.” Kerala is expected to see the monsoon arrival four days ahead of the usual May 27 onset.
🔍 What to Expect on May 19
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Central and East India: Thunderstorms and rain likely in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha.
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North-East India: Heavy rainfall expected in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
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Southern States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala will see rain and thunderstorms.
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Western India: Goa and parts of Maharashtra may experience light rainfall.
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Heatwave Zones: Continued hot weather in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
⚠️ Advisory
Residents in affected regions are advised to:
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Stay indoors during thunderstorms and high wind activity.
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Avoid sheltering under trees during lightning.
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Stay hydrated and limit exposure to heat in high-temperature zones.
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Monitor local weather alerts for evacuation or emergency announcements.
As extreme weather patterns intensify across India, staying informed and prepared remains the best line of defense against both heatwave hazards and storm-related disasters.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
