The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi for Wednesday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. This weather alert comes as a relief to Delhiites who experienced a break from the recent humid conditions as rain lashed the city this evening.
"Moderate rainfall accompanied by moderate thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur in North Delhi, Central Delhi, New Delhi, South Delhi, South-East Delhi, East Delhi, and NCR within the next two hours," the IMD stated in an evening bulletin. The rain is expected to persist until August 5, with additional light rains reported in various parts of the NCR.
This bout of rain has brought the maximum temperature down to 37.8 degrees Celsius, providing a respite from the sweltering heat. On Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest maximum temperature for July this year at 39.3 degrees Celsius, five degrees above the seasonal average. The IMD reported a humidity level of 63 percent at 5:30 PM, with a minimum temperature of 30.4 degrees Celsius, which is 3.3 degrees above the seasonal norm.
Himachal Pradesh: Orange Alert
The regional Met office in Himachal Pradesh has issued an orange alert for Thursday, predicting heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas across all districts except Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti. This wet spell is expected to last until August 6, with a yellow alert for heavy rain in isolated areas from Friday onwards.
Odisha and Wayanad Weather Alerts
The IMD has also forecasted heavy rainfall for five districts in Odisha: Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur. A yellow warning has been issued for these areas, advising residents to stay updated on weather conditions. Furthermore, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Angul, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Boudh, Khurda, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Deogarh, and Sundargarh districts on July 31.
In Kerala, a red alert has been issued for Wayanad and all northern districts due to anticipated extremely heavy rainfall. The region has already been impacted by landslides triggered by continuous rains, posing significant risks to the local population.
The IMD's warnings across these states highlight the urgent need for caution and preparedness to mitigate the impact of these weather conditions. Residents are advised to follow updates and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during this period of heavy rainfall.