Cyclone Arnab weakens, but heavy rain and hailstorms threaten several states
New Delhi: The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in six states on Thursday, October 29, even as Cyclone Arnab weakens after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts.
Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab are also under a weather alert, with thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms possible. Gusty winds and lightning are expected in several parts of the country.
Heavy rain forecast in six states
According to the IMD bulletin issued on Wednesday, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, east Madhya Pradesh, east Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha on October 29.
Heavy rainfall is also forecast at isolated places in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, coastal Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Delhi-NCR and north India on alert
Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab could experience thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorms at isolated locations. The IMD has also forecast thundersqualls, with wind speeds of 50–60 kmph, in these regions and Jharkhand.
East Rajasthan could see isolated hailstorms, while parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, east Madhya Pradesh, coastal Andhra Pradesh and other regions may experience lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Rainfall is expected to remain fairly widespread to widespread over east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on October 29 and 30.
Cyclone Arnab weakens after landfall
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during the early hours of Wednesday. The IMD said the landfall process was completed by 8.30 am on October 28, with the system moving entirely over land.
The system was forecast to move north-northwestwards and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm and subsequently a deep depression. However, its remnants are expected to continue influencing rainfall across parts of India.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall on Thursday, along with strong winds. Squally winds are also forecast along the West Bengal coast and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal.
The IMD's forecast comes as the northeast monsoon season gets underway over southern India. The weakening cyclone and associated atmospheric disturbances are expected to influence rainfall and thunderstorm activity across several regions.
Residents in areas under weather alerts should follow official IMD updates, exercise caution during thunderstorms and hailstorms, and avoid exposed locations during lightning or strong winds.