Rain alert in 15 states across country and pollution risk in Delhi

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued serious weather warnings for 15 states and Union Territories across the country. According to a report by Indian Express Gujarati, rain is forecast in 15 states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Odisha. Due to a cyclonic system formed in eastern Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh weakening into a depression, there is a possibility of rain and heavy winds in many parts of South, North, and East India. Cyclonic winds may blow at speeds of 60 to 70 km/h in some places.

Weather conditions are more severe in South India. Although Cyclone Murasu has weakened, its effects are still being felt. The Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain warnings for many districts of Tamil Nadu and has also forecast thunderstorms in some areas. Rain warnings have also been issued for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Heavy rain is forecast in coastal and southern interior parts of Karnataka, while thunderstorms and lightning are possible in coastal Karnataka. In Kerala, warnings for thunderstorms and lightning have been issued along with rain forecasts.

In East India, rain is also possible in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. There is a possibility of scattered rain in Odisha, and in some districts, thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy winds at speeds of 30-40 km/h may blow. Some parts of Chhattisgarh may receive light or scattered rain, but there is no major warning for heavy rain or large thunderstorms there. Rain alerts with thunderstorms have also been issued for areas including Patna, Gaya, and Purnia in Bihar, although according to the Indian Express report, weather in Bihar will remain normal with a possibility of dry weather.

A major change is being observed in the weather in North India. Rain activity has now stopped in Delhi-NCR, but cold is increasing in the mornings and evenings. The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to be between 27°C to 29°C and the minimum temperature between 15°C to 17°C. In the morning, winds will blow from the north-west at about 15 km/h, which may increase to 20 km/h by afternoon. The sky will remain clear over Delhi-NCR, but fog may be seen in some areas in the morning.

The pollution situation in Delhi is extremely concerning. AQI has reached severe levels in many areas of Delhi. AQI of 450 was recorded in Jahangirpuri, while 453 in IIT Delhi, 422 in Alipur, 421 in ITO, and 411 in Bawana were recorded. In Anand Vihar, 302, in Ashok Vihar, 348, in Aya Nagar, 382, in Burari Crossing, 393, and in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 411 AQI was recorded. In Noida, AQI of 426 was recorded in Sector 62 and 351 in Sector 150, 349 in Sector 110, and 321 in Sector 39. In Sector 125, 243 and in Sector 116, 261 AQI, the air quality is in the 'poor' category.

The weather has also changed in Uttar Pradesh. Rain has stopped here and cold has started in some districts. According to the Sandesh report, rain is forecast in districts such as Ghaziabad, Meerut, Kanpur, and Agra with winds at speeds of 35 to 40 km/h. In eastern and western Uttar Pradesh, dry weather with clear skies and sunshine is expected.

Changes in weather will also be seen in East and Central India. Winds of 50 km/h may blow in Ranchi and Dhanbad of Jharkhand as well as Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Malda of West Bengal. There is a possibility of rain with thunderstorms and heavy winds in districts such as Jaipur and Kota in Rajasthan and Bhopal and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. There is also a possibility of snowfall in Punjab and hilly states.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) holds the responsibility of acting as the weather department of the Government of India. It is the responsible institution for forecasting weather, analysing weather data, and issuing caution alerts against natural disasters.