The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday has sounded the first signs of monsoon relief, even as large parts of North India continue to bear the brunt of rising mercury. The weather body has forecast the likely onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala around May 26.

As per the agency, favourable atmospheric conditions are developing for the monsoon to advance into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, the Comorin region, the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea over the next four days. It added that the projected onset date carries a model error margin of four days.

A couple of southern and western states, such as Gujarat, Kerala and Karnataka, are also likely to register increased pre-monsoon activity beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend.

IMD sounds alert for torrential rains in Northeast

The IMD has forecast torrential rainfall activity across Northeastern Indian till May 27, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. States such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura are expected to record intense rainfall over the coming days.

A very heavy rainfall alert has also been sounded for isolated areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya between Saturday and Monday, elevating concerns over potential flooding and disruptions in vulnerable regions. Meanwhile, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rain along with thunderstorms and strong winds.

Pre-monsoon showers to lash Gujarat, South India

The weather department added that light to moderate rainfall may knock at isolated locations in Gujarat, particularly in districts such as Navsari, Valsad and Dang, along with Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman, Parts of Saurashtra, including Amreli, Gir Somnath and Diu, may also see scattered showers. However, dry conditions will most probably persist across most other parts of Gujarat and the Saurashtra-Kutch region till May 28.

On the other hand, South Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka and Coastal Andhra Pradesh will likely receive scattered to widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

North India remains trapped under heatwave

While respite is on the cards for southern and northeastern states, North India reels under an intense heatwave. The IMD has predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh from May 22 to 27, with temperatures in Delhi likely to hover between 44°C and 46°C. Other states such as Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Bihar, Odisha and parts of Madhya Pradesh are also likely to remain under heatwave conditions during the week.