Rain red alert: IMD issues intense rain warning for West Bengal's Nadia
A red alert is the highest category of weather warning issued by the IMD and signifies that immediate action may be required to protect life and property.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a red alert for parts of Nadia district in West Bengal, warning of severe thunderstorms, intense rainfall, lightning activity and strong gusty winds over the next few hours.
According to the nowcast warning issued at 3:20 pm on May 18, severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and intense rain is “very likely” to affect some parts of Nadia district during the next two to three hours.
The IMD warned that wind speeds could reach 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, raising concerns about localised damage, uprooting of trees, power disruptions and hazardous travel conditions.
A red alert is the highest category of weather warning issued by the IMD and signifies that immediate action may be required to protect life and property.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to remain indoors, avoid taking shelter under trees, disconnect electrical appliances during lightning activity and stay away from open fields and water bodies.
The weather office also warned fishermen and people engaged in outdoor activities to exercise extreme caution as thunderstorm cells continue to intensify over parts of southern Bengal.
The development comes amid rapidly changing weather patterns across eastern India, where intense daytime heating combined with moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal has been triggering severe pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity.
Meteorologists say such storms can develop rapidly during late afternoon and evening hours, often bringing sudden bursts of heavy rain, dangerous lightning and squally winds capable of causing structural damage in vulnerable areas.
Over the past few weeks, eastern India has witnessed multiple rounds of thunderstorms and lightning strikes as unstable atmospheric conditions continue to build ahead of the southwest monsoon season.
The IMD has urged district authorities to remain on alert and monitor local conditions closely as severe weather activity may shift quickly across neighbouring regions.
Weather experts say isolated severe thunderstorms are likely to continue across parts of eastern India over the coming days as heat and humidity levels remain elevated across the region.