IMD warns of intense heatwaves and heavy rain across these popular tourist regions in India; what travellers need to know

With the peak summer season for tourism in India facing an arduous week ahead owing to forecasts of deadly weather conditions by the IMD, severe heatwaves, torrential rain, thunderstorms, and gusts of wind will batter various prime tourism spots around the country.As per the All India Weather Summary & Forecast Bulletin of IMD, conditions have become favourable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon into more regions of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal and could lead to an increase in rainfall activity in southern and northeastern parts of India.

North East to face heavy rainfall

One of the rainiest places to travel to in India is set to continue receiving heavy rainfall. Places like Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim can expect heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Assam and Meghalaya could also experience extremely heavy rainfall at some isolated places.This might have a considerable impact on tourism at destinations such as Shillong, Cherrapunji, Gangtok, Kaziranga, Tawang, as well as many mountain roads that tourists take for road trips or backpacking tours. IMD has issued alerts related to flooding, poor visibility, traffic jams, as well as the danger of landslides.

Travellers who plan road trips may face uncertainties due to landslides and mudslides caused by heavy rainfalls in areas prone to these events. In addition, water logging is anticipated to occur in urban areas and disrupt transportation systems in some places. Weather experts suggest avoiding flooding-prone locations and seeking local advice before heading out.

Kerala and coastal regions in monsoon season

The southern parts of the country will experience turbulent weather over the next few days too.

Widespread precipitation accompanied by storms, flashes of lightning, as well as strong wind gusts are expected in Kerala, Lakshadweep, coastal Karnataka, interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, as well as parts of Andhra Pradesh.This is likely to mean that the onset of monsoon conditions will be felt very early at the beaches and hill stations. Tourist hotspots like Munnar, Wayanad, Coorg, Ooty, Kochi, Western Ghats, among others, can expect wet conditions with slick roads, hazy visibility, heavy downpour, and delays on the roads.

While the rains may attract monsoon season tourists to waterfalls and green landscapes, the unpredictability of outdoor activity may pose a problem.Heavy rain is forecast in Kerala and Mahe till 28 May, whereas there may be heavy spells of rainfall over Lakshadweep and Karnataka too.

Rough sea conditions may hit island and coastal tourism

In addition to the weather forecasts, the IMD has also released warnings for rough sea conditions in certain parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

There will be squally conditions with winds blowing at a speed of 40-60 kmph in areas off the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Comorin area, and south Bay of Bengal region.Such conditions are likely to affect ferry movement, boating, island tourism, fishing, and beach activities.

Heatwave continues to grip north and central India

Whereas rainfall occurs in southern and northeastern India, the northern and central India regions are still struggling with dangerous heat wave conditions.

As per forecasts by the Indian Meteorological Department, severe heatwave conditions will prevail in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi for the next few days.Heatwave conditions will also prevail in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. Many places are expected to face very high temperatures during the day which would make tourism difficult as well as risky.

This is because of the extremely high temperatures during the day which can prove hazardous to elderly people and children.According to IMD, the highest temperature recorded was 47.2 degrees Celsius in Brahmpuri, Maharashtra, the highest in the whole country.Tourism destinations like Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho and also some wildlife sanctuaries in central India may see reduced tourist activity during the day as tourists try to escape the hot afternoon weather.

Thunderstorms may disrupt road trips and outdoor tourism

Along with heat waves and heavy showers, the IMD has predicted thunderstorms and wind in a number of other states such as Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal with wind speeds possibly touching 70 kmph in some places.These weather patterns may affect trekking routes, camping, safari tours in wildlife reserves, and even travel by roads over long distances.

Travellers need to stay flexible

Given the fact that more than one kind of weather pattern is active simultaneously in the country, travellers should be ready to adapt to changing circumstances.

Tourists are advised to keep an eye on the weather reports especially when planning road trips in mountainous areas and outdoor activities in heat wave hit areas.Those travellers who are visiting rain hit places have been asked to build buffer time in their itineraries and pack rain gear as well as stay prepared for possible transport disruptions due to weather. Similarly, tourists travelling through heat waves hit places are advised to avoid midday sun exposure and sightseeing during afternoons.