The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Goa, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, warning of extremely heavy rainfall on May 23. An orange alert has been sounded for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Sindhudurg, and the ghats of Pune and Satara, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph at isolated places.
In Mumbai, the orange alert remains in effect for May 23 and 24, cautioning residents about intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
According to the IMD, the pre-monsoon downpour is being triggered by a low-pressure system forming over the east-central Arabian Sea, just off the Konkan-Goa coast. This system is expected to intensify in the next 36 hours and move northward, leading to widespread rainfall across the Konkan belt.
Speaking on Thursday, Shubhangi Bhute from the Regional Meteorological Centre said, “Wind speeds during this period will likely range from 30 to 40 kmph and may touch 60 kmph in isolated areas.” She also confirmed that Goa and parts of Maharashtra’s coastline have been placed under high alert, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall anticipated.
Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea along the Gujarat and Maharashtra coasts. According to the IMD bulletin, sea conditions are expected to be rough through the night of May 23 and may worsen between May 24 and 27.
The IMD also indicated that the current atmospheric developments could favour the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala within the next 2–3 days.
Additional Warnings Across India:
Isolated hailstorms are likely in Himachal Pradesh, while heavy rainfall is expected in Uttarakhand on May 23 and 24.
Dust storms, with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, are predicted in West Rajasthan between May 23 and 25.
Heatwave Conditions Persist Elsewhere:
Despite the rain in the west, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions continue in West Rajasthan from May 22 to 24. Pockets of Jammu, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and north Madhya Pradesh are also expected to experience intense heat on May 23.
Warm night conditions have been predicted for south Haryana and Punjab (May 22–23) and West Rajasthan (May 22–24).
