India: Adverse weather forecast across northern and central regions through at least April 29

Adverse weather is forecast to continue across parts of northern and central India through at least April 29. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a press release warning of a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning over northwest India April 26-28. Isolated hail storms are likely in parts of the region and snowfall is possible over elevated areas. A separate weather system is expected to bring showers and storms across parts of central India over the coming days.

The IMD has issued the following weather warnings across the affected area April 25-29:

April 25

• Orange thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorm warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Eastern Maharashtra.

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Madhya Pradesh, central Maharashtra, eastern Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand

• Yellow hailstorm warnings: Central Maharashtra.

April 26

• Orange thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorm warnings: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, western Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab.

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, central and eastern Maharashtra, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

• Yellow hailstorm warnings: Himachal Pradesh.

• Yellow dust storm warnings: Western Rajasthan.

April 27

• Orange thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorm warnings: Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Punjab.

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh,

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, central and eastern Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttarakhand.

• Yellow hailstorm warnings: Madhya Pradesh.

April 28

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.

• Yellow heavy rain warnings: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

• Yellow hailstorm warnings: Himachal Pradesh.

April 29

• Yellow thunderstorm and lightning warnings: Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.

Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports across the affected area.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.

Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.