IMD warns of thunderstorm with rain in Bangalore; IndiGo says flight schedules disrupted amid ‘bad weather'

IndiGo on Monday issued a travel advisory citing “bad weather” in Bengaluru following the India Meteorological Department (IMD)'s warning of thunderstorms and rain in the city.

“Bad weather over #Bengaluru has impacted flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly,” it said.

The airline advised passengers to regularly check their flight status through its website or mobile app and assured them that its teams were available to provide assistance and full support throughout their journey.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for several parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, for Monday, according to Indian Express, adding that a yellow alert warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds will remain in effect across the region until Thursday.

IMD's Bengaluru weather forecast for 7 days

On 18 May, the minimum temperature is expected to be 23°C and the maximum temperature 33°C. Thunderstorms with rain are likely.

On 19 May, the minimum temperature is forecast to remain at 23°C, while the maximum temperature is expected to be 33°C. Thunderstorms with rain are expected.

On 20 May, the minimum temperature is likely to dip to 22°C and the maximum temperature may rise to 34°C. Rain or thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds are forecast.

On 21 May, the minimum temperature is expected to be 22°C and the maximum temperature 35°C. The sky is likely to remain generally cloudy with light rain.

On 22 May, temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 35°C. Generally cloudy skies with light rain are forecast.

On 23 May, the minimum temperature is likely to be 22°C and the maximum temperature 35°C. The weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain.

On 24 May, the minimum temperature is forecast at 22°C and the maximum temperature at 35°C. Generally cloudy skies with light rain are likely.

During the night between Sunday and Monday, some parts of Bengaluru received light rainfall. Data from the city's weather dashboard showed that 157 civic wards recorded drizzle, with the highest rainfall measured at 0.7 mm, the report noted.

Bengaluru Urban has seen relatively limited pre-monsoon rainfall this year. As of 19 April, the district had reportedly recorded a rainfall deficit of 85.8 per cent, receiving only 5.6 mm of rain compared with its historical monthly average of about 40 mm.

IMD scientist reacts amid heatwave warning in several parts of country

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a heatwave warning for several parts of the country, stating that maximum temperatures may climb to as high as 45°C in the coming days. The weather department mentioned hot and dry conditions are expected to continue for at least the next week.

IMD scientist Akhilesh Shrivastav told ANI on Monday that heatwave conditions were expected to affect northwest India, central India, and adjoining regions and were likely to continue over the next seven days.

"Maximum temperatures recorded yesterday were between 42 and 43 degrees Celsius. Our estimate is that over the next week, temperatures in Delhi could remain between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius. In the next 3 days, temperatures could even reach 45 degrees, and isolated heatwave conditions are also expected in Delhi. An 'orange alert' has been issued for Delhi for the next two days,” Shrivastav noted.

He added that heatwave warnings had been issued for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Vidarbha, Central Maharashtra, and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra.

“Northwest India will remain largely dry, which will lead to a rise in temperatures. However, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are expected to receive rainfall. A heavy-to-very heavy rainfall warning has been issued for Kerala. Karnataka may also see hailstorm activity, while Northeast India is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall,” he further said.