The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for several districts of Maharashtra, forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning over the next 24 hours. The weather warning comes as many parts of the state continue to face a rainfall deficit, raising concerns among farmers waiting for stronger monsoon showers.
Which Districts Are Under A Yellow Alert?
The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Pune Ghat region, Nashik Ghat region and Satara Ghat region, where heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places on July 19. Residents in these areas have been advised to remain cautious as intense rain may lead to localised waterlogging and difficult travel conditions.
Several districts are likely to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. These include Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Satara, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Dharashiv, Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal. The IMD has advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and avoid open spaces whenever possible.
What Is The Weather Forecast For The Rest Of Maharashtra?
Apart from the districts under the Yellow Alert, the remaining parts of Maharashtra are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall. The IMD has also forecast thundershowers with lightning in parts of Pune Ghat region, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Beed, Parbhani, Hingoli, Washim, Buldhana, Akola, Yavatmal, Amravati, Wardha, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia and Gadchiroli.
Many parts of Maharashtra have received below normal rainfall over the past few weeks, affecting kharif crops.The prolonged dry spell has increased worries among farmers, who are waiting for widespread rainfall to improve soil moisture and support crop growth.
According to the IMD, a low-pressure area remains active over western parts of West Bengal and adjoining northern Jharkhand. The weather system, along with a cyclonic circulation and the active monsoon trough stretching across northern and eastern India, is expected to influence rainfall activity over several states, including Maharashtra.
