The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive all-India weather alert covering the next five days—from April 16 to April 20—warning of extreme weather conditions across various regions of the country. While large parts of India brace for thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes, northwestern states like Rajasthan and Gujarat are expected to suffer from intense heatwaves and hot nights.
Five Cyclonic Circulations Stir Up Weather Chaos Across India
According to the IMD’s latest weather bulletin, five active cyclonic circulations are currently influencing India’s weather patterns. These systems are centered over:
- Western Rajasthan
- South Madhya Pradesh
- The Gulf of Mannar
- The Bay of Bengal near Tamil Nadu
- Western Assam
These cyclonic systems are being compounded by two troughs—one extending from south Madhya Pradesh to Gangetic West Bengal and another from southern interior Karnataka—which are causing significant atmospheric disturbances across the country.
Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Rainfall Warnings Issued
IMD has forecast widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in several eastern and northeastern states, including Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Winds may gust between 50 to 60 km/h, raising concerns over local infrastructure and travel disruptions.
- April 16: Odisha is likely to witness heavy rainfall with chances of hailstorms.
- April 17: Thunderstorm activity is expected to intensify across Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Gangetic West Bengal.
- April 16: Thunder and light rainfall are also expected across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha, accompanied by strong gusts.
In southern India, the weather is forecast to remain turbulent throughout the five-day period. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala are set to experience lightning and thunderstorms, with wind speeds reaching up to 40-50 km/h.
Western Disturbance to Bring Heavy Snowfall to Himalayas
From April 16 to 20, a strong western disturbance is expected to affect the western Himalayan region, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. IMD predicts:
- April 18-19: Heavy snowfall, hailstorms, and wind speeds up to 40-50 km/h in the Himalayan states.
The ripple effects of this western disturbance are also expected to reach the northern plains, with Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh facing rainfall and dust storms.
Extreme Heatwave and Sultry Conditions in Western India
While the east and south reel under wet weather, western India is bracing for a heat onslaught. IMD has flagged:
- West Rajasthan: Severe heatwave conditions from April 16 to 18, with temperatures expected to soar beyond 45°C.
- East Rajasthan and Gujarat: Heatwave conditions likely to persist until April 18.
- Konkan, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka: High humidity and sultry weather conditions expected.
Additionally, the IMD has warned of unusually warm nights in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, further intensifying discomfort for residents.
India is set to experience a dramatic weather shift over the next five days, as multiple cyclonic circulations, western disturbances, and rising temperatures create an unpredictable mix of storms, snowfall, and heatwaves. Citizens are advised to stay informed through official IMD bulletins, take precautions against lightning and dust storms, and remain hydrated in heat-affected regions. As climate variability continues to push extremes, April 2025 is shaping up to be a vivid reminder of nature’s power.
