New Delhi/Jamshedpur, Mar 27: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of an intense spell of rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across large parts of the country over the coming week, with peak weather activity expected on March 29 and 30.
“The week will remain active weather-wise across the country,” the IMD said, cautioning that multiple regions may witness lightning, strong winds and occasional extreme events such as hailstorms.
In north and northwest India, the Kashmir Valley is likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall on March 30. Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh are expected to see light to moderate precipitation from March 27, intensifying into fairly widespread rain and snow between March 28 and 30.
Uttarakhand is also likely to witness increasing rainfall between March 29 and 31, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and winds reaching up to 60 kmph. Plains including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are expected to receive scattered rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds during this period.
In the Northeast, states such as Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh are set to experience widespread rainfall through the week, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds. The IMD has also forecast isolated heavy rainfall and warned of hailstorms and thundersqualls, with wind speeds potentially touching 80 kmph on March 27.
Eastern parts of the country, particularly Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, are likely to receive widespread rainfall till March 31, with heavy rain expected on March 27 and 28. Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha are also expected to witness intermittent rain and thunderstorms, with the possibility of isolated hailstorms.
Central India, including Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, along with the Vidarbha region, will see light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, with chances of hailstorms on March 29. Western regions such as Gujarat and Maharashtra are also likely to experience similar conditions towards the end of the month.
Southern peninsular states — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — are expected to receive isolated rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds, while hot and humid conditions may prevail in coastal areas during the initial days.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Jharkhand, forecasting rain, thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 30–50 kmph on March 27 and 28, with conditions likely to intensify in central and southern districts.
In Jamshedpur, ongoing Ram Navami celebrations may face weather-related disruptions. Cloudy skies, possible light rain and strong winds could impact immersion processions, particularly affecting tall flags and decorative structures. Authorities have advised people to remain cautious near electric lines and trees.
“A prolonged spell of wet weather is set to impact large parts of India, with peak activity expected on March 29 and 30,” the IMD said, adding that thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may pose risks in several regions.
“Strong winds could affect tall flags, decorative gates and other temporary structures,” the weather office warned.
