Rainfall to bring relief in most Indian states till May 14 but intense heatwave predicted afterwards

India's northern states are expected to receive a fresh spell of rainfall this week, keeping scorching heat at bay for at least two days till May 14. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand  are expected to witness widespread rainfall activity on Sunday.

The states may also witness thunderstorms and gusty winds. Regions such as Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa may also receive rainfall in some regions.

The IMD said the rains are caused by a Western Disturbance evolving as a cyclonic circulation over northern Pakistan and parts of Rajasthan. 

Heavy rains are also expected in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. 

Good news for Bengaluru

Water crisis-hit Bengaluru will also witness rains, along with lightning and thunderstorms. The IMD has issued an orange alert for the city, and showers are predicted there throughout the week.

In West Bengal, people might get relief from the heatwave as showers are predicted there till Thursday.

"A strong moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal due to a cyclonic circulation lies over north Bangladesh and neighbourhood at 1.5 km above mean sea level, Thunderstorm with lightning along with gusty wind speed activity very likely to continue over districts of West Bengal,” the IMD said.

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“Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind at 40-50 kmph are likely to continue till Monday across Bengal,” the IMD statement read.

Rainfall is expected in northeastern states too. Thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds (30-40 kmph) are expected from May 12 to 15, increasing to widespread rainfall from May 16th to 18th.

No significant change in temperatures is predicted for the coming days, however, in northwest India. Instead, the IMD has predicted an intense heatwave in the region starting May 16, which can send temperatures soaring.

Meanwhile, many parts of East India can expect a rise of 2-4°C after two days of relative stability.

(With inputs from agencies)