As the heat in Vidarbha becomes unbearable, a heavy rainstorm with thunder and strong winds hit the sub-capital around 1 PM on Tuesday. The rain started suddenly with a loud rumble of thunder, making it very difficult for drivers.
With the rise of “October heat,” temperatures in Vidarbha have been consistently above 35 degrees Celsius for the past few days. In this situation, the Indian Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in the southern districts of Maharashtra and Vidarbha. Since Saturday, monsoon rains have started to retreat from the Nandurbar district, but not much change has been seen since then. Favourable conditions for the retreat of the monsoon are forming in some parts of the state. Circular winds over Kerala and nearby areas, along with winds from the Bay of Bengal to the Lakshadweep Islands, might create a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea.
In Vidarbha, temperatures are rising in several districts. On Monday, Akola recorded a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius, while Brahmapuri reached 36.2 degrees Celsius. Other districts also saw maximum temperatures above 34 to 35 degrees Celsius.
On Tuesday morning, the sub-capital was sunny. But by 12:30 PM, clouds gathered, and heavy rain began at 1 PM, along with strong winds. The thunder rumbled loudly, and lightning flashed. The sudden rain made it hard for drivers to find shelter. Some areas experienced heavy rain, while others stayed dry but had strong winds and thunder. For example, the Ambazhari area saw heavy rain, but no rain fell on Wardha Road. The downpour lasted about an hour, soaking roads and causing fallen branches to litter the streets. This short rain caused significant traffic delays. The rain also brought a noticeable chill to the air, and thunderstorms were reported in Nagpur and Chandrapur districts as well.