By adbnu564 
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms, rainfall, and gusty winds across various parts of the country, bringing much-needed relief from extreme heat in some areas and triggering safety alerts in others.
Delhi Weather Forecast: Thunderstorms on May 21 and 22
Delhi is expected to get some respite from the scorching heat on Wednesday, May 21, with the IMD predicting thunderstorms and rain. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 28°C, while the maximum may reach 39°C.
On Tuesday, the mercury soared to 41.8°C, and high humidity levels made conditions unbearable for people outdoors.
A recent CEEW study has categorized Delhi under high to very high heat risk, noting:
- Increasing warm nights
- Higher relative humidity
- Rising heat exposure in urban and economically important zones
Thunderstorm activity is also likely to continue on Thursday, May 22, according to the IMD.
Mumbai Weather Update: Rainfall Disrupts Traffic
On Tuesday, Mumbai received heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning, especially over eastern and western suburbs, leading to traffic slowdowns.
The IMD attributed the rainfall to a developing cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast. A low-pressure area is expected to form around May 22, which may move northwards and intensify, increasing rainfall in Maharashtra through May 24.
West Bengal Weather Alert: Heavy Rains in North, Thunderstorms in South
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall for North Bengal districts and thunderstorms in South Bengal till Friday.
This is due to:
- Upper air cyclonic circulation over North Bangladesh
- Moist winds from the Bay of Bengal
Affected South Bengal districts:
Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, West & East Burdwan, West Midnapore, Birbhum, Murshidabad
Affected North Bengal districts:
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri
South India Weather: Fatal Rains in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Torrential rain wreaked havoc in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, claiming eight lives.
- Karnataka: 5 deaths, 3 in Bengaluru
- Tamil Nadu: 3 deaths due to a wall collapse in Madurai
The IMD issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and strong winds from May 20 to 22.
Kerala Monsoon Alert: Early Arrival Expected
The state of Kerala continues to be battered by heavy rainfall, affecting areas such as Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Malappuram.
According to IMD forecasts, the southwest monsoon is expected to arrive 7–10 days earlier than the usual June 1 onset, likely between May 25 and 27.
Summary of Regional Weather Alerts
| Region | Forecast Highlights | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Thunderstorms and rain, temp drop | May 21–22 |
| Mumbai | Pre-monsoon rain, traffic disruption | May 21–24 |
| West Bengal | Heavy rain in north, thunderstorms in south | Till May 24–25 |
| Karnataka & TN | Torrential rain, fatalities, yellow alert | May 20–22 |
| Kerala | Continuous heavy rain, early monsoon onset expected | Next 4–5 days |