Nagpur, Vidarbha brace for fresh spell of rain and thunder: IMD

The monsoon is refusing to let go of Nagpur and Vidarbha even as it withdraws. The temperature in Nagpur's Sonegaon area was recorded at 24 degrees Celsius at 6:30 am on Monday, and the weather department said the region could see another change in weather today.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Nagpur, humidity levels stood at 89 percent in the morning, with winds blowing from the south-east at about 7.4 kmph. Clouds drifted in and out of the sky through the morning, keeping humidity levels high in the city. The weather department said parts of Vidarbha could see rain accompanied by thunder and lightning today.

The change has been attributed to a low pressure area formed over south-west Madhya Pradesh and adjoining north Vidarbha. The department said the system is likely to move west-north-west over the next 24 hours towards south-east Rajasthan and adjoining north Gujarat. This is expected to increase rain activity in several parts of central and western India, including Maharashtra.

Apart from Nagpur district, temperatures recorded elsewhere included 24.2 degrees Celsius in Amravati, 28 degrees Celsius in Wardha, 27.2 degrees Celsius in Gondia, 25 degrees Celsius in Buldhana and 29.2 degrees Celsius in Chandrapur, suggesting that weather could change across nearly all districts of Vidarbha today.

The weather department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain in Konkan-Goa and central Maharashtra, and issued an alert for extremely heavy rain in parts of the Gujarat region and north-central Maharashtra. The department said the next 24 to 48 hours are considered crucial for Maharashtra and surrounding areas.

Strong winds and lightning are also expected during this period along with thunderstorms. The impact of the rain is likely to shift as the low pressure area moves further. Residents of Nagpur and Vidarbha have been advised to keep an eye on the sudden changes in weather and stay away from open areas during thunderstorms.