The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather alert for Gujarat, predicting thunderstorms, gusty winds and light to moderate rainfall in several parts of the state between June 11 and June 15.
While the southwest monsoon typically reaches Gujarat around June 15, weather officials have indicated that its arrival may be delayed this year and is likely after June 20.
According to the IMD forecast, districts including Navsari, Tapi, Valsad, Dang, Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are expected to receive scattered rain and thunderstorms on June 11 and 12. Rainfall activity is likely to spread further on June 13, covering Surat, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar.
On June 14 and 15, districts such as Bharuch, Vadodara, Panchmahal, Dahod and Mahisagar are also expected to witness rain, lightning and strong winds.
In Saurashtra, weather conditions are likely to remain mostly dry for the next three days. However, light showers are expected in Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath between June 12 and June 15, bringing relief from the prevailing heat.
Meanwhile, an active western disturbance originating over Central Asia is expected to affect northwestern India, triggering widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds until June 13.
Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorms and winds of 50-60 kmph is forecast in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh on June 11 and 12.
The weather system is expected to lower temperatures in cities such as Delhi, Jaipur and Lucknow, although humidity levels may rise. Authorities have warned of possible disruptions to transport services and damage to standing crops and orchards due to hailstorms.
Farmers have been advised to take precautionary measures, while NDRF and SDRF teams have been placed on alert to handle any weather-related emergencies.