IMD Storm Alert: 22 States Brace for Heavy Rains, 70 km/h Winds

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe weather alert forecasting widespread heavy rainfall, intense thunderstorms, and strong surface winds across 22 states and Union Territories on September 30. Wind gusts are projected to touch 65 to 70 km/h in several belts, posing risks of uprooted trees, power disruptions, and localized waterlogging.

A cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh and adjacent regions in the lower tropospheric levels, combined with active weather conditions over the Bay of Bengal, continues to drive strong monsoon activity across northern, central, and eastern India.

Key Highlights & Synoptic Features

• Widespread Alert: 22 regions under watch, including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Severe Wind & Hail Risks: Wind speeds could reach 70–80 km/h in parts of Rajasthan and 65 km/h along coastal Odisha; isolated hailstorms are possible in more than three states.
• Advisory: Farmers and residents are advised to secure harvested crops and avoid unnecessary travel during lightning activity. Landslide warnings remain in place for vulnerable hilly terrains.

State-Wise Weather Forecast

• Delhi-NCR: Light to moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds clocking 20 to 30 km/h. Temperatures are likely to drop by 2–3°C, hovering between 22°C and 33°C.
• Uttar Pradesh: Heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in Meerut, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Agra, Mathura, Kanpur, Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur, Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, and Gorakhpur. Gusts up to 30 km/h. Lucknow mercury levels: 23°C to 32°C.
• Bihar: Moderate rainfall and squally weather predicted for Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad, Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Munger, Khagaria, and Bhagalpur. Patna range: 24°C to 33°C.
• Jharkhand: Intense showers and winds between 40 and 50 km/h expected across Ranchi, East Singhbhum, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Dumka, Palamu, and Saraikela. Ranchi range: 20°C to 29°C.
• Uttarakhand: Heavy spells and wind speeds of 50 to 60 km/h forecast in Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Champawat, Bageshwar, Pauri Garhwal, and Rishikesh. Dehradun range: 19°C to 28°C.
• Himachal Pradesh: Downpours along with winds up to 55 km/h expected in Mandi, Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Solan, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Bilaspur. Manali expects temperatures between 2°C and 12°C.
• Jammu & Kashmir: Heavy rain alert across Srinagar, Udhampur, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kishtwar, Budgam, Ganderbal, and Baramulla. Srinagar range: 13°C to 28°C.
• Rajasthan: High-speed dust storms and downpours with gusts up to 70–80 km/h likely across Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bundi, Bikaner, Ajmer, Sikar, Pali, and Udaipur. Jaipur range: 22°C to 33°C.
• Punjab: Thunderstorms with winds around 30 km/h likely in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Barnala, and Faridkot.
• Madhya Pradesh: Heavy rainfall with wind speeds of 30 to 40 km/h across Bhopal, Indore, Dhar, Vidisha, Katni, Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), Morena, Sheopur, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ashoknagar, Neemuch, and Agar Malwa. Bhopal range: 21°C to 32°C.
• West Bengal: Gusts reaching 50 to 60 km/h alongside heavy rain in Kolkata, Nadia, Durgapur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly, Paschim Medinipur, Murshidabad, and Alipurduar. Kolkata range: 27°C to 34°C.
• Chhattisgarh: Strong gusts up to 55 km/h and widespread rain forecast for Raipur, Bilaspur, Manendragarh, Surajpur, Dhamtari, Janjgir, Korba, and Mahasamund.
• Odisha: Coastal and interior squalls reaching 65 km/h, with heavy rain across Bhubaneswar, Balangir, Sundargarh, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Puri.

Major City Temperature Projections (September 30)