Orange Alert in Telangana: Thunderstorms Damage Crops Amid Early Monsoon Forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for several districts in Telangana, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds reaching 50-60 kmph over the next five days. This alert comes as the state experiences unseasonal weather patterns, with Hyderabad witnessing light rain and thunderstorms in the early morning hours of May 15. 

The recent weather events have caused significant damage to agricultural activities across the state. Rain spells between May 12 and 14 disrupted harvesting, damaging paddy stored at procurement centres in Mulugu and flattening standing crops in districts including Mancherial, Siddipet, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Warangal, Sangareddy, and Vikarabad. Early estimates indicate substantial losses to paddy, maize, and mango yields. 

In addition to the immediate weather concerns, the IMD has predicted that the monsoon may arrive in Telangana earlier than usual. The monsoon is expected to hit the state around June 4 or 5, nearly a week ahead of the typical onset date of June 8 to 10. This shift is part of a larger pattern, with the southwest monsoon likely to reach Kerala by May 27, five to six days in advance.

The early arrival of the monsoon, coupled with the recent unseasonal rains, poses challenges for farmers who are already dealing with crop damage. The state government and agricultural departments are monitoring the situation closely to provide necessary support and mitigate further losses.

Source: Outlook Business