The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall in parts of Maharashtra from Monday, April 20 , to Wednesday, April 22. According to the weather forecast, lightning, gusty winds, and isolated hailstorms may also occur in some places.
Western Maharashtra, particularly the ghat areas, along with Khandesh, Marathwada, and parts of the Vidarbha region, are likely to witness cloudy conditions and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours from Monday to Wednesday, the weather office said on Saturday. Gusty winds at speeds between 30 and 40 km/h should be expected in the coastal belts of the state until Tuesday, April 21. In the Marathwada region, there is a possibility that this will persist until Thursday, April 23, the IMD website warned.
On April 19 , similar weather conditions are expected over the ghat areas of Western Maharashtra, as well as parts of north Khandesh and south Marathwada, it said. Isolated hailstorm activity was also predicted over central Maharashtra and the Marathwada region on Sunday.
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"The spatial extent and intensity of rainfall are likely to increase onApril 20 and 21 , covering parts of the Pune division, southern Marathwada—including the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division—and areas of Vidarbha, especially the Amravati division," the release, quoting the IMD, said.
The thunderstorm activity is expected to gradually reduce in intensity and coverage by April 22 , it added.
The state agriculture department has advised farmers to take precautionary measures in view of the forecast to safeguard their crops. Farmers have been urged to plan agricultural operations in line with weather conditions and ensure harvested crops are stored in safe, covered places. They have also been advised to protect produce from damage due to strong winds, rain, and possible hail, and to avoid leaving harvested crops and vegetables in the open, officials said.