Ch. Sambhajinagar, March 16 (UNI) Marathwada is set to experience an abrupt spell of unseasonal weather as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather watch for all eight districts of the region between March 17 and March 20.
The alert covers Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv (Osmanabad) and Parbhani, where thunderstorms, intermittent rain, lightning and gusty winds are expected to develop, particularly during evening and night hours following afternoon cloud formation.
Wind speeds during these storms may reach around 30-50 kmph, and certain isolated areas could also experience hailstorm.
The sudden shift in weather comes during the ongoing rabi harvesting season and only days after several parts of Maharashtra recorded heatwave-like conditions, with maximum temperatures rising beyond 40 degrees Celsius in many cities.
After days of intense heat and clear skies, the weather has turned unstable, forcing farmers as well as urban residents to reconsider their immediate plans.
Meteorological officials said the weather disturbance will not be limited to Marathwada alone. Similar conditions are expected across Vidarbha, Khandesh and parts of central Maharashtra, where cloud formation during the afternoon may lead to scattered to moderate rainfall across different districts in phases during the four-day period.
Weather experts believe the activity could intensify between March 18 and 20, when a combination of strong surface winds, increased moisture inflow and upper-air instability may trigger heavier showers and even hail in some locations.
While interior regions may witness this unstable weather, coastal areas, including most parts of Konkan, are expected to remain largely dry. This indicates a clear contrast in weather patterns across the state. Daytime temperatures may fall slightly due to cloud cover, but they are still expected to remain above the normal average for March.
In Marathwada, the weather system may provide temporary relief from the heat, though it also raises concerns about possible crop damage, interruptions in electricity supply and transport difficulties, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
