Maharashtra weather updates: Thunderstorm with lightning, heavy rainfall likely in Vidarbha; yellow alert issued

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Parts of Vidarbha in Maharashtra are likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rains are likely at isolated places this week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a weather bulletin on Sunday.

The weather department said thunderstorms with lightning at one or two places in parts of Vidarbha are likely at isolated places this week.

According to the bulletin, a 'Yellow' alert for July 16 to July 20 was issued for several parts of Vidarbha including Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Buldhana and Washim.

"Thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rainfall at isolated places are likely," the IMD said.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted 'moderate spells of rain' in Mumbai and its suburbs.

"Possibility of moderate rainfall in Mumbai city and suburbs likely today," the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Sunday.

A high tide of about 4.16 metres is expected to hit Mumbai at 11.39 am today, stated Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body also said that a low tide of about 1.99 metres is expected at 5.45 pm today.

MD has also issued notice for the fisherman community and warned them not to venture out in the sea for the next five days. "Squally weather with strong wind speeds expected in various sea regions over the next 5 days. Take necessary precautions and stay safe out at sea!"

According to IMD, squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely over the Westcentral and Southwest Arabian Sea, Gulf of Mannar.

IMD also said, "Squally wind with wind speed reaching 40-45 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely over North Kerala-Karnataka-Maharashtra and Southwest Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka coast."

Meanwhile, the IMD on Saturday said that a cyclonic circulation is lying over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-Gangetic West Bengal coasts.

"A cyclonic circulation lies over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-Gangetic West Bengal coasts and extends upto 5.8 km above mean sea level tilting southwards with height," IMD Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar said.

IMD said that the cyclonic circulation is likely to move west-northwestward across north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand during the next two to three days.

It also mentioned that another fresh cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the Northwest Bay of Bengal around July 18, 2023.

IMD Bhubaneswar Director HR Biswas said that some regions will receive heavy and very heavy rains due to the cyclonic circulation.

"Right now, the cyclone circulation is on the northeast Bay of Bengal, near coastal Odisha. The movement will be across northern Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. As a result, in the next two days, there are chances of heavy to very heavy rain. Most of the places will have moderate rainfall," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)