IMD Weather Update Today: Thunderstorm, Heavy Rain and Heatwave Alerts Issued Across India

News Summary in 5 Lines

• IMD has warned of moderate to severe thunderstorms over Northwest, Central and East India from 29 to 31 May.
• Heatwave conditions have reduced in most parts of Northwest India, but some pockets of Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana remain at risk.
• Heavy rainfall is likely over parts of Northeast India and South Peninsular India from 1 to 4 June.
• Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of the Northeast need to stay alert.
• The weather shift matters because it affects travel, farming, power demand, public health, local markets and the upcoming monsoon season.

India is seeing a mixed weather today. In some parts people are witnessing severe heatwave conditions and in other parts, there are thunderstorms, dust storms, heavy rain, hail and strong winds.

According to the India Meteorological Department’s press release issued on 29 May 2026 at 1400 hours IST, the ongoing heatwave has eased from most parts of Northwest India. IMD also said it is likely to ease from most parts of Central India from tomorrow.

The weather tomorrow could see severe thunderstorm activity with squally winds is likely over Northwest India, Central India and East India during 29–31 May.

The weather office has also said that isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Northeast India and South Peninsular India from 1 to 4 June. This means the country is moving from extreme summer heat in several regions to a period of unstable weather, where strong winds, lightning, sudden rain and local flooding may become serious risks.

Also Read: Cryptocurrency Market Today: Bitcoin Near $73K, ETF Outflows, Top Gainers & Losers of Today

Latest Updates and Information

IMD has reported that very heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places over Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal in the last 24 hours ending 8:30 AM on 29 May 2026.

Heavy rainfall was also recorded at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Kerala and Mahe, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana and Uttarakhand.

Thunderstorms with squally or gusty winds reaching 70–105 kmph were reported at isolated places over Bihar, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, East Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

IMD has warned of thundersqualls with winds touching up to 100 kmph over Bihar and West Uttar Pradesh on 29 May. Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and East Uttar Pradesh may see strong winds of 70–80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph.

Why Weather Change Matters to Bharat?

• For farmers: Sudden rain, hailstorm and strong winds can damage standing crops, vegetables, fruits and stored produce.
• For daily wage workers: Heat, rain and thunderstorms directly affect outdoor work, construction activity and transport-based livelihoods.
• For students and office-goers: Thunderstorms and waterlogging can delay school buses, metro travel, road traffic and local trains.
• For rural India: Rainfall uncertainty affects sowing plans, irrigation needs and income expectations.
• For cities: Strong winds can damage hoardings, trees, electric poles and temporary structures.
• For families: Lightning, heatstroke, flooding and falling trees become real safety risks during such changing weather.
• For fishermen: IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into several parts of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea during the warning period.

Also Read: US-Iran War Latest Updates: US Strikes Iranian Drone Site, Iran Warns Ships Near Strait of Hormuz

Timeline of Events

1. 16 May 2026: IMD said the southwest monsoon had advanced into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands.
   
2. 28 May 2026: Maximum temperatures were recorded in the range of 43–47°C over parts of Central India adjoining Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan.
   
3. 29 May 2026, 8:30 AM: IMD recorded very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
   
4. 29 May 2026, 1400 IST: IMD issued a press release warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and remaining heatwave pockets.
   
5. 29–31 May 2026: Moderate to severe thunderstorms are likely over Northwest, Central and East India.
   
6. 1–4 June 2026: Heavy rainfall is likely over parts of Northeast India and South Peninsular India.
   
7. June–September 2026: IMD expects below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall over India as a whole.
   

Who Is Affected?

• Farmers in rainfed areas of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and parts of South India.
• Urban residents in Delhi-NCR, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Chennai and nearby regions.
• Fishermen along parts of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
• Travellers using highways, trains and flights in thunderstorm-prone regions.
• Children, elderly people and outdoor workers who are more vulnerable to heat and lightning.
• Small traders and mandi workers who depend on stable weather for transport and daily sales.

IMD has advised that action should be taken based on orange and red colour warnings. The weather department has also reminded that forecast accuracy reduces as the lead period increases, which means people should keep checking updated alerts.

Reuters quoted economic experts saying that weak rainfall and poor distribution can increase inflation pressure and affect growth. Agriculture analysts have also warned that below-normal rainfall may affect early sowing of pulses, cotton, edible oilseeds, coarse grains and non-irrigated rice areas.

For common citizens, the message is simple: the next few days need caution, and the next few weeks will be important for the monsoon.

Also Read: India Weather Update, 11 May 2026: Storms, Heatwave and Heavy Rain Alerts Put Multiple Regions on Watch

News4Bharat POV

India’s weather is shifting from heatwave stress to thunderstorm and rain risk. The immediate concern is public safety, travel disruption and crop damage due to strong winds, lightning and heavy rainfall. The larger concern is the monsoon forecast. If rainfall stays below normal, the impact may go beyond weather and reach farms, food prices, rural incomes and household budgets.

Citizens should stay alert, follow official warnings and avoid panic.