India: New Delhi braces for thunderstorms as flooding causes travel issues in Mumbai
A second surge of monsoon rain is expected to take place across northern and western India this week.
New Delhi will have an uptick in rainfall starting Wednesday with daily downpours across the National Capital Region (NCR) each day into this weekend.
Any thunderstorms can produce locally damaging winds, blowing dust and flash flooding. Travel disruption is expected during the heaviest rainfall.
Lightning will also be a concern for anyone outdoors. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately to avoid the risk of being struck by lightning.
In advance of the rain, temperatures soared across New Delhi and the NCR from Sunday into Tuesday.
The high temperature peaked at 41 C (106 F) in New Delhi on Monday; however, high humidity made it feel even hotter during the afternoon hours as AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures climbed above 49 C (120 F).
The increase in rainfall will cause temperatures to lower across the NCR the next several days; however, high humidity will still result in uncomfortable heat.
More consistent rainfall is expected to follow this surge of moisture across Northwest India during late July and August.
While there will still be dry days, prolonged dry and hot spells are not expected to be widespread during this time.
Elsewhere across India, heavy rainfall will target parts of the west coast and central interior through the week.
Rainfall has totaled more than 525 mm (21 inches) in Mumbai since Saturday, causing daily disruptions.
Heavy rainfall on Monday created travel chaos across Mumbai as trains were delayed, buses diverted and roads flooded, according to the Business Times.
The travel disruptions continued on Tuesday as downpours fell across the region. More than 400 train passengers had to be rescued in Nalasopara after tracks became submerged in flood waters, according to The Indian Express.
The navy was deployed to rescue additional passengers trapped on trains by floodwaters Wednesday, according to First Post.
Several buses and trains were also delayed or canceled due to the flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Areas at greatest risk for flooding during the remainder of the week include coastal locations from Mumbai to Mangaluru, and interior locations across Madhya Pradesh and northern Maharashtra. This includes Indore and Nagpur.
Residents in the higher terrain will also have to remain alert for localized landslides.
Downpours will bring 150-300 mm (6-12 inches) of rain to these areas through this weekend with local amounts up to 600 mm (24 inches).
Showers and thunderstorms will also threaten parts of North East India through the coming week, including Assam state where at least 32 people have died in monsoon flooding so far this year.
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