Himachal Pradesh News
Wet Spell to Continue Across North India Till May 6, IMD Issues Fresh Alert
A prolonged spell of wet weather is set to continue across northern parts of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, until May 6, bringing much-needed relief from rising temperatures. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms will dominate the region over the next few days.
A prolonged spell of wet weather is set to continue across northern parts of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, until May 6, bringing much-needed relief from rising temperatures. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms will dominate the region over the next few days.
A fresh western disturbance is expected to impact weather conditions, leading to light rainfall at isolated locations in Punjab and Haryana on May 2, 3, 6, and 7. Meanwhile, more widespread rainfall activity is likely on May 4 and 5.
Rain, Thunderstorms and Gusty Winds Expected
The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds during this period. Residents in affected areas are advised to remain cautious, especially during peak storm hours.
Interestingly, temperatures are expected to rise by around 2°C over the next 48 hours in Punjab and Haryana before witnessing a significant drop of 3–4°C due to the incoming rain spell.
Heatwave Conditions to Persist in Other Regions
While North India enjoys relatively cooler conditions, several other parts of the country may continue to struggle with intense heat. Regions including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, along with eastern coastal states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, are likely to record above-normal heatwave days.
States like Gujarat and Maharashtra are also expected to remain under the grip of high temperatures.
Monsoon Likely to Hit Andaman by Mid-May
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the southwest monsoon is expected to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 14 and 16, marking the beginning of India’s annual monsoon cycle.
The department forecasts normal to above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country this season, except for some regions in east, northeast, and east-central India where rainfall could be below average.
Impact on Agriculture: Mixed Outlook
The IMD has indicated favourable conditions for harvesting and threshing of late rabi crops in north and northwest India. However, rising temperatures in parts of southern peninsular India, northeast, and northwest regions could pose challenges.
Heat stress during critical crop growth stages—such as flowering and grain filling—may affect crops like rice (boro), maize, pulses, and vegetables, potentially leading to reduced yields and flower drop.
April Weather Recap: Among the Driest in Recent Years
India recorded only 35 mm of rainfall in April, making it the 10th lowest since 2001. The average maximum temperature stood at 35.13°C, while the minimum averaged 22.07°C.
Weather disturbances during April primarily brought thunderstorms and rainfall to the Western Himalayan region and parts of northeast India, offering limited relief to the rest of the country.
