IMD issues yellow alert for heavy rain in several Maharashtra districts on Sept 20-21
Weather department warns of thunderstorms and heavy rain across Konkan, central Maharashtra and Marathwada over the next two days.
Rain, which had weakened in the state over the past few days, is set to intensify again. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy, thundery rain in different parts of Maharashtra over the next two days, September 20 and 21. Rainfall intensity is expected to be higher in Konkan, central Maharashtra and Marathwada, and the IMD has issued a yellow alert for several districts in these regions.
According to the forecast for September 20, districts of north Konkan can expect light to moderate rain with heavy spells at some places. Wind speeds during this period are expected to reach 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, raising the risk of stormy winds. South Konkan-Goa, central Maharashtra and Marathwada may also see light to moderate rain at some places, with winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour.
On September 20, a yellow alert has been issued for Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, the Nashik ghat area, Ahilyanagar, Pune and the Pune ghat area, Kolhapur (and its ghat area), Satara (and its ghat area), Sangli, Solapur, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv, along with the Vidarbha districts of Amravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal.
On Monday, September 21, the rain is expected to shift towards central Maharashtra and Marathwada. Districts in central Maharashtra may see light to moderate rain with heavy spells at some places, with stormy winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. Marathwada will also see moderate rain with thunder and lightning, and winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. In Konkan-Goa, winds will be 30 to 40 kilometres per hour with light to moderate rain.
On September 21, a yellow alert has been declared for Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nashik and the Nashik ghat area, Ahilyanagar, Pune and its ghat area, Kolhapur and its ghat area, Satara and its ghat area, Sangli, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Dharashiv, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal.
In view of the possibility of heavy rain and strong winds, the weather department has appealed to farmers and the general public to take necessary precautions. It has advised people, in particular, not to take shelter under trees during lightning and to stay in a safe place.
