Weather today: IMD issues alert for Assam, Arunachal; warns of heavy rainfall after Odisha's devastating tornado
Weather today: After Odisha's devastating tornado, Assam, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh brace for more heavy rainfall on 16 March. Check latest weather forecast here.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a heavy rainfall alert for Northeast India, warning against heavy precipitation in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh until 17 March. The prevailing weather conditions over the Western Himalayan region are due to a Western Disturbance, which caused a devastating tornado in Odisha on Sunday and heavy rains in the Northeastern states.
IMD in a post on X stated, “Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected across parts of Northeast India…. Residents are advised to stay alert and follow official weather updates.”
The weather office warned against isolated thunderstorm activity and gusty winds over East and adjoining Central India from 16 to 19 March. IMD's latest weather bulletin states, “Isolated thunderstorm activities accompanied with Gusty winds also likely over East and adjoining Central India during 16th to 19th March, with its peak intensity on 16th March, 2026.”
It added, "A fresh Western Disturbance likely to cause Rain/Thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds along with hailstorm likely over Western Himalayan Region and adjoining plains from 18th March."
Yellow alert in Assam and Mizoram
A yellow alert for heavy rainfall remains in place for Assam.
The weather department also issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
IMD has forecast the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on 19 March. Similar weather conditions are expected in East Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 16 March.
“Thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds speed reaching (40-50 gusting to 60 kmph) likely over Jammu Kashmir-Ladakh on 16th,18th & 20th; Himachal Pradesh 16th & 18th; Uttarakhand on 18th, 19th; Haryana Chandigarh & Delhi and Punjab on 19th; West Uttar Pradesh on 19th; East Uttar Pradesh on 16th,” IMD said.
Rajasthan is set to witness thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds between 18 and 21 March, while Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and West Uttar Pradesh residents can expect such weather conditions till 20 March.
Odisha's devastating tornado wreaks havoc
In Sunday's devastating tornado in Odisha, two people were killed, and more than 17 were injured in the Mayurbhanj district. Over 100 houses were damaged near Karanjia along National Highway (NH)-220, Hindustan Times reported.
A trail of destruction outlined Kia and Kankada villages in Karanjia block. The impact of the tornado was also felt in the nearby Panapasi and Dumuria villages. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh to the kin of the deceased from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), Mayurbhanj District Collector (DC) Hemakanta Soy said.
According to officials, strong winds uprooted trees and electric poles, toppled vehicles, tore off rooftops, and swept some vehicles off the road into a nearby pond.
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