Red alert in Delhi: IMD warns of severe heatwave across 6 states today; IMD issues rainfall alert in Arunachal, 7 others

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for six states as severe heatwave conditions are expected to grip the region on May 28. These states include Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

As per IMD's weather bulletin dated May 27, severe heat wave conditions are expected over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh until May 27 and to gradually abate thereafter. Additionally, a heatwave is expected in Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh until May 30 and in Madhya Pradesh and Jammu until May 29. 

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The IMD's weather bulletin predicted hot and humid weather conditions over Gujarat till May 31 and in Bihar on May 28. “Warm night conditions in isolated pockets very likely to prevail over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi during 27–31 May; Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on 27 and 28 May.”

Also read: Above-normal rains seen, says IMD; monsoon over Kerala in five days

Meanwhile, cyclonic storm “Remal” made landfall over coastal Bangladesh and adjoining coastal West Bengal on May 26. 

Also read: Heatwaves to end soon? IMD predicts day when North India will get relief

Here's what IMD's warning for heavy rains in the affected region states:

• “West Bengal: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places likely over eastern districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal on May 27 and 28.”
• “Northeastern States: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is likely over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur & Tripura on May 27 and 28. ” 
• IMD's press release suggests that extremely heavy rainfall is expected on May 28 in West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The weather agency suggests the prevalence of squally wind reaching 40-50 kmph speed over Assam and Meghalaya till noon of May 28.

IMD predicted that monsoon onset is expected in Kerala till June 1. Moreover, weather conditions are likely to turn favourable for the progress of Southwest monsoon over Lakshadweep, Kerala and north-eastern states during the same period.

IMD issues alert for heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday, May 28, requested the people of the state to take all precautionary measures and avoid vulnerable and isolated locations. This development comes at the backdrop of IMD's red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in the state.

He took to social media platform X and stated, “@Indiametdept has issued a red alert for the next three days with a prediction of thunderstorms with lightning and extremely heavy rainfall in Papumpare, West Kameng, East Kameng, and Pakke-Kessang districts. ”

He added, "I request everyone to take all precautionary measures and avoid vulnerable and isolated locations." 

The weather agency forecasted, “Thunderstorms with lightning and very heavy rainfall are also likely to occur in Pakke-Kessang, Papum Pare, Siang, Lohit, East Kameng, West Kameng, Kurung Kumey, West Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts on May 29 and 30.”