Dehradun, May 29: The onset of southwest monsoon in Kerala brought some respite of the scorching summer heat in the southern region. Meanwhile, rainfall lashed several northern states like Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand on Tuesday which killed over 40 people. Reports inform that 19 people of the total have been reported from Bihar, while 12 people were killed in neighbouring Jharkhand.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that thunderstorm or hail storms may hit isolated places in hill state- Uttarakhand between 3 PM to 6 PM on Tuesday. The isolated regions include Dehradun, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh.

The IMD has made a forecast of "normal" rainfall this season. The south-west monsoon, which brings over 70% rainfall to India has hit Kerala three days ahead of its normal arrival date. It must be noted that 2018 is the second consecutive year in the last five years that the monsoon has marked its arrival earlier than expected. In 2017, monsoon had hit Kerala on 30 May as predicted by IMD and had recorded a delay in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

On Tuesday, Andaman and Nicobar Island's Hut Bay recorded a rainfall of 10 cm while Tamil Nadu's Valparai recorded 7 cm rainfall. Reports inform that Lakshadweep's Aminidivi got 6cm while 5 cm rain was recorded in Portblair, Agathi and Majbat.

According to a report by PTI, at least 19 persons, including a number of women and children, were killed in incidents of lightning and thunderstorm in various parts of Bihar on Monday. According to a release issued by the state disaster management department, districts of Gaya and Aurangabad reported the maximum casualty. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and issued instructions for expeditious disbursement of ex-gratia to the kin.

The IMD has foretasted squally weather in parts of Lakshadweep, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The sweltering weather is likely to persist in parts of West Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi. The weather department has said that heatwave conditions are expected to continue across North India while the sweltering weather is likely to persist in parts of West Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2018 05:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).