IMD Issues Rain Alerts Across Maharashtra as Dry Spell Persists
IMD has issued rain and thunderstorm alerts across Maharashtra even as the state reels under a 17% rainfall deficit and a prolonged dry spell.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a series of rain alerts across Maharashtra, even as large parts of the state continue to reel under a prolonged dry spell and a rainfall deficit of 17 per cent.
A yellow alert has been placed over 39 districts, spanning both the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. For September 23, the warning covers Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim, Nashik, Latur, Ratnagiri and Satara, among others.
An orange alert has been issued for September 24 in Nagpur, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Yavatmal. For September 25, the same level of warning applies to Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Gondia and Bhandara.
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds is expected in Latur, Dharashiv, Yavatmal, Nanded, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Gadchiroli and Gondia. Thunderstorms and rain have also been forecast for Kolhapur, Sangli, Pune, Nashik, Satara, Solapur and Ahilyanagar.
The weather office has predicted fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Konkan and Goa as well as Marathwada on September 23. From September 24 to 28, isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over Konkan, Goa and Marathwada, while Madhya Maharashtra may see rainfall between September 23 and 28. Strong surface winds are expected over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on September 24 and 25, with thunderstorms at isolated places over North Konkan and North Madhya Maharashtra.
The state has recorded 787.2 mm of rainfall against a normal of 953.2 mm. Several dams have run dry and farmers have reported crop losses due to the dry spell. The shortfall, which persisted through August and September, is being attributed to El Niño.
The Southwest monsoon is expected to begin withdrawing from October 5. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal and is likely to intensify into a deep depression within the next 12 hours, with wind speeds potentially reaching 75 kmph.