May 30, Kathmandu - As neighboring India grapples with an intense heatwave gripping various states, more than 15 regions have issued pre-monsoon rainfall alerts amid alarming weather conditions. In the past 24 hours, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have suffered significant human casualties due to thunderstorms, heavy rains, and lightning strikes, with a combined death toll of 48.

In Bihar, recent thunderstorms, rainfall, and lightning have claimed 17 lives. The adverse weather has severely impacted air travel to the state capital, Patna, with four flights diverted and 18 others delayed, leaving over 500 passengers stranded. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts rainfall across 25 districts of Bihar today.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh has reported 31 fatalities due to storms and heavy rains in the last 24 hours. In Saharanpur, intense downpour caused rapid water flow from hilly areas, sweeping away ten vehicles, including an Innova and several trucks. The weather department has issued rain alerts for all 75 districts in the state. Temperatures across many Indian cities have soared above 45°C, prompting health advisories for children to prevent heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

Amidst these developments, the IMD has announced that monsoon is expected to reach Kerala within the next seven days. However, the agency projects a weaker-than-normal monsoon season this year, with most parts of the country receiving below-average rainfall from June to September. The seasonal forecast estimates total rainfall at approximately 78 centimeters, compared to the normal average of 87 centimeters. While Bihar and Uttar Pradesh may experience typical monsoon rainfall, other regions—particularly agriculture-dependent areas—may face weaker monsoon conditions, raising concerns for crop yields.