Monday, March 13: A fresh batch of pre-monsoon rains will beset many parts of the country over the next few days — effectively washing away all the gulaal that coloured Indian cities during the previous week's Holi merrymaking. And for Central India, the rainfall activity will begin on Monday itself.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an active western disturbance travelling through the Western Himalayan Region will likely spur widespread weather activity over the country's central, eastern, and southern parts between March 13 and 18.
But more specifically, the likely formation of twin cyclonic circulations — one over East Madhya Pradesh and the other over Telangana — could give rise to a trough forming between the systems. As the system becomes more marked, feeding on the moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the interaction between this westerly trough and the easterly winds could result in thunderstorms, strong winds, and even hailstorm over central India.
The IMD has forecast isolated light rains accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are likely over Central Maharashtra from Monday to Thursday (March 13-16) and Marathwada until Friday (March 17). Similar weather conditions will prevail over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh between Tuesday and Friday (March 14-17).
Further, isolated to scattered light or moderate rainfall is possible over Maharashtra and MP between Wednesday and Friday (March 15-17). Hailstorm risk is particularly high over Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Vidarbha, and Central Maharashtra between March 15 and 17, along with high-velocity winds.
In view of these forecasts, a yellow watch (meaning 'be updated') has been issued across the aforementioned states and subdivisions for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
While Northern plains would mostly escape the turbulent activity, South Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Marathwada, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and North Karnataka will witness some weather fury of lightning strikes and thunderstorms.
Meteorologists believe this batch of rainfall will last for a while, meaning they could pose a serious threat to standing crops in the fields, especially in Interior Maharashtra, Telangana, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have already suffered crop damage after last week's unseasonal precipitation and have been urging the government to assess the situation and reimburse them. According to the farmers, some of the crops have suffered as much as 80% damage.
The pre-monsoon showers usually make an appearance in the second half of March. However, their premature onset this year has been correlated to the high temperatures in February. As per scientists, the high mercury levels in the past month led to the formation of these local weather systems before time.
If the warming continues, these convective systems will continue to form at frequent intervals due to increased humidity levels, triggering more freak weather events. These variations in climate systems could be attributed to climate change, experts say.
(With inputs from TOI)
For weather, science, space, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It's free!