Drop in mercury, thunderstorms likely in several parts: IMD

According to IMD, maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 2-3 degrees celsius over northwest and central India in next 48 hours

After a long spell of "severe heat wave", India Meteorological Department has predicted maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 2-3 degrees Celsius over northwest and central India in the next 48 hours while forecasting thunderstorms in several parts of the country.

However, the "heatwave" warning still persists for west Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha for the next 48 hours.

"Maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 2-3 degrees Celsius over northwest and adjoining central India during the next 48 hours.

"Thunderstorm is also likely at isolated places over Delhi, Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Sikkim, AssamandMeghalaya," the IMD said in its forecast.

However, in coming days, with the effect of cyclone Roanu receding, states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha are likely to again come under the spell of heat wave.

"The (heat) intensity is likely to reduce thereafter and gradually abate during May 27 to 31. The maximum day and minimum night temperatures are likely to remain markedly above normal over entire northwest, west and central India during May 17 to 27. They are likely to fall to their respective normal or below normal values between May 27 and June 1," the IMD said.

IMD has also predicted "heavy rainfall" in the Andaman and Nicobar which was hit by southwest Monsoon on May 18.