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Monsoon breaks over Kerala; thunderstorms, lightning kill scores in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand

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8 years ago

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Monsoon breaks over Kerala; thunderstorms, lightning kill scores in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Monsoon broke in Kerala on Tuesday, May 29, three days ahead of its normal date. The weather department has predicted a good rainy season this year, unlike 2017 when at least 60 per cent of the country did not receive adequate rainfall.

“Heavy rainfall was witnessed in many parts of the state as well as the Lakshadweep Islands. Amini in Lakshadweep reported 24 mm rain while Konni (Pathanamthitta) in Kerala registered 18 mm. The weather conditions are conducive for further advancement of clouds,” said media reports quoting Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) regional director K Santosh.

Heat wave continued to affect life in north and west India with maximum temperatures refusing to come below mid-forties.

At the same time, thunderstorms struck many parts leaving as many as 46 people dead and over two dozen injured in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand on Monday. A report quoting news agency ANI said 15 people have died in Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar and Jharkhand, the told stands at 19 and 12, respectively.

According to a report in The Financial Express (FE) quoting a UP government official, of the 15 deaths, six were reported from Unnao district. They were struck by lightning on Monday night. Two deaths were reported each in Kanpur and Rae Bareli. Five persons are also said to have suffered injuries. The official said that concerned DMs have been asked to reach out to the victims and ensure financial assistance are delivered to their families within 24 hours.

The Met department has predicted that heavy thunderstorm accompanied by rainfall is likely to lash many regions including Bundelkhand, several western and eastern districts in the next 24 hours. Lucknow and neighbouring areas like Kanpur, Kannauj, Etawah, Mainpuri, Agra, Meerut and Moradabad also likely to witness heavy rainfall.

In Bihar, the toll mounted to 19 today morning. At least 12 people lost their lives in the southern part of the state, besides heavy damages caused to public amenities. In Gaya, 4 people were killed whereas 5 died in neighbouring Aurangabad. Two people were reported killed in Nawada. In Munger, three people died in havoc triggered by the untimely thunderstorm. In Katihar, three members of a family died.

In neighbouring Jharkhand, 12 people lost their lives and at least 28 others were injured. Several trees were uprooted in the capital city of Ranchi due to the sudden hailstorm. The IMD has predicted thunderstorm in the state until June 12 when monsoon is expected to hit the state.

In Ranchi’s Itki area, 17-year-old Subhash Minz was struck by lightning around 8.30 pm on Monday while he was having dinner with four others outside his residence in Nari village, said a report in The Hindustan Times (HT).

In another incident, 12-year-old Vishal Mahto was returning home from a vegetable market with his grandfather when he was struck by lightning at Koynartoli village in Ranchi, reported HT. The district witnessed its third casualty when a mason, identified as Phulesh Machua, was struck by a thunderbolt at Tamar on Monday evening.

According to news reports, the number of maximum causalities was reported in Bokaro where 8 people have died. In Khunti, 6 persons were killed whereas two persons died in Ranchi. In Ramgarh, two persons were killed and one death was reported in Palamu, Hazaribagh and Lohardaga each.

According to government figures, 43 people have lost their lives in the state this month in incidents related to thunderstorm so far, said the FE report.

Earlier this month, around 170 people were killed when high intensity dust storm that had hit the northern states.

Delhi and areas around continued to reel under heat wave-like conditions. The meteorological department said some relief could come in the form of precipitation through Tuesday and Wednesday.

“There are chances of a dust storm or thunderstorm on Tuesday. But as that will occur only in the late afternoon or evening, the day temperature is likely to remain almost the same as Monday,” reported HT, quoting RK Jenamani, head of the MeT department at the IGI airport.

Also, there is a high chance of rain and thundershowers on Wednesday, said the HT report, adding that a senior official said, “A western disturbance is approaching and moisture-laden easterly winds are also gathering strength. The intense heat, the western disturbance and the easterly winds are expected to trigger some rain on Wednesday.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1527596561237{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #dbdbdb !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]IMD Bulletin

29 May (Day 1):

♦ Heat wave conditions are very likely to occur at many parts of West Rajasthan; some parts of East Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and at one or two pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi and Vidarbha.

♦ Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places very likely over Kerala and Coastal Karnataka;

Heavy rain at isolated places over South Interior Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with hailstorm very likely at isolated places over Uttrakhand.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, North Interior Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

♦ Squally wind speed  reaching 40­50 Kmph gusting to 60 Kmph very likely along  & off Kerala and Karnataka and south Maharashtra, Goa , Odisha & West Bengal Coasts, over and around Lakshadweep area and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, eastcentral & northeast Bay of Bengal. Sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough over these areas.Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea over these areas.

♦ Duststorm at isolated places very likely over Rajasthan.

30 May (Day 2):

♦ Heat wave conditions are very likely to occur at some parts of West Rajasthan and at one or two pockets over East Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

♦ Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places very likely over Coastal Karnataka

Heavy rain at isolated places over South Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall very likely at isolated places over Uttar Pradesh.

♦  Thunderstorm   accompanied   with   gusty   winds  very   likely   at   isolated   places   over   Himachal   Pradesh,   Uttarakhand,   Punjab,   Haryana, Chandigarh, & Delhi, Bihar and Sub­Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim.

♦ Squally wind speed  reaching 40­50 Kmph gusting to 60 Kmph very likely along  & off Kerala and Karnataka and south Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha & West Bengal Coasts, over and around Lakshadweep area. Sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough over these areas. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea over these areas.

♦ Duststorm/thunderstorm at isolated places very likely over East Rajasthan and Duststorm

at isolated places very likely over West Rajasthan.

31 May(Day 3):

♦ Heat wave conditions are very likely to occur at one or two pockets over West Rajasthan and

Madhya Pradesh.

♦ Heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka, Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall very likely at isolated places over Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Bihar and Odisha.

01 June (Day 4):

♦ Heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Kerala, Coastal Karnataka and Sub­Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.

♦  Thunderstorm   accompanied   with   gusty  winds  very   likely   at   isolated  places   over   Uttar   Pradesh,   Jharkhand,   Gangetic   West   Bengal   and Odisha.

02   June  (Day   5):

♦ Heavy   rain   very   likely  at   isolated  places   over  Sub­Himalayan   West   Bengal   &   Sikkim   and   Assam   &   Meghalaya.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over Uttar Pradesh.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Shashi Tharoor questions Centre over Kerala name change to Keralam

Shashi Tharoor has criticised the Centre’s decision to approve renaming Kerala as Keralam, questioning its impact and pointing to the lack of major projects for the state.

Published

8 hours ago

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February 25, 2026

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shashi tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has criticised the central government over its decision to approve the renaming of Kerala as ‘Keralam’, arguing that the move prioritises symbolism over development.

Reacting to the Union Cabinet’s approval, Tharoor said that the state’s name has always been ‘Keralam’ in Malayalam and questioned the practical impact of introducing the Malayalam term into English usage.

“It has already been ‘Keralam’ in Malayalam. So now, a Malayalam word is coming into English. I don’t know what difference it makes,” he said, adding that the state has not received major projects such as an AIIMS or new institutions from the Centre. He also pointed out that no significant allocations were made for Kerala in the Union Budget.

In a separate post on X, Tharoor raised what he described as a “small linguistic question” about what residents of the state would be called if the name change is implemented. Referring to existing terms such as “Keralite” and “Keralan”, he remarked that alternatives like “Keralamite” sounded like a microbe and “Keralamian” like a rare earth mineral.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the proposal on Tuesday. The move comes ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections, in which 140 members of the legislative assembly are to be elected. The poll schedule is yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India.

The state assembly had earlier passed a resolution seeking the change in official records. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had moved the resolution in 2024, urging the Union government to adopt the name ‘Keralam’ in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

He had stated that the demand for a united Kerala for Malayalam-speaking people dates back to the national freedom movement.

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Tamil Nadu potboiler: Now, Sasikala to launch new party ahead of election

Sasikala has announced the launch of a new political party ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, positioning herself against AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Published

21 hours ago

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February 24, 2026

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In a significant political development ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, expelled AIADMK leader V. K. Sasikala has announced that she will float a new political party and contest the polls by fielding her own candidates.

Speaking in Madurai before heading to Pasumpon for a public event, Sasikala said she would unveil her party’s flag later in the evening. She indicated that more details regarding the party’s structure and plans would be shared at the gathering.

The event venue carries political symbolism. Pasumpon is the birthplace of Thevar leader Muthuramalinga Thevar, and Sasikala herself belongs to the influential Thevar community in southern Tamil Nadu. The programme was held as part of birth anniversary events of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Direct challenge to EPS

Sasikala’s move is being viewed as a direct political challenge to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). After Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016, Sasikala briefly took control of the party and had appointed Palaniswami as Chief Minister. However, following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case, she served a four-year prison term, and during that period, she was expelled from the party.

Palaniswami later aligned with O. Panneerselvam, whom Sasikala had earlier removed from the Chief Minister’s post. The two leaders subsequently adopted a dual leadership arrangement within the party and government.

Sasikala remains disqualified from contesting elections until 2027 due to her conviction. Nevertheless, she has stated that she intends to field candidates under her new party banner.

Fragmented Thevar vote base

Over the years, expulsions within the AIADMK — including Sasikala, her nephew TTV Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam — have led to divisions within the Thevar support base. Political observers have linked this fragmentation to the party’s weakened electoral performance in the elections following Jayalalithaa’s passing.

While Dhinakaran has returned to the NDA fold, reports suggest Palaniswami is opposed to any arrangement that includes Sasikala or Panneerselvam. OPS, meanwhile, has exited the NDA.

Sasikala has repeatedly criticised Palaniswami, describing him as a betrayer, while he maintains that his leadership stems from the support of AIADMK legislators rather than her backing.

The AIADMK has not issued an official statement on Sasikala’s announcement. However, a senior party leader questioned her political standing, pointing out her disqualification from contesting elections and referring to legal issues linked to Jayalalithaa’s death.

With the Assembly polls approaching, Sasikala’s re-entry into active politics could further complicate the opposition space in Tamil Nadu and influence electoral calculations, particularly in the southern districts.

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As stealth reshapes air combat, India weighs induction of Sukhoi Su-57 jets

India is assessing the possible induction of up to 40 Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets as stealth becomes central to future air combat strategy.

Published

22 hours ago

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February 24, 2026

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Sukhoi Su-57 jets

Aerial warfare is increasingly being defined by the ability to remain undetected rather than by traditional dogfighting skills, and India is now assessing options to strengthen its capabilities in this new paradigm. Defence circles are abuzz with indications that the Indian Air Force may consider procuring up to 40 Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets, according to sources.

The possible move comes less than a year after Operation Sindoor, which was launched in May last year following the Pahalgam terror attack. The air engagements with the Pakistan Air Force during the operation are understood to have provided fresh operational insights, prompting discussions on future preparedness.

Why stealth is central to fifth-generation fighters

Fifth-generation fighter aircraft are designed with a strong emphasis on low observability. Platforms such as the Su-57 incorporate airframes shaped to reduce radar signatures and use radar-absorbent materials to make detection more difficult across radar, infrared and visible spectrums.

These aircraft typically integrate advanced avionics, sensor fusion and supercruise capabilities. They are also configured to carry specialised weapons internally, enhancing stealth during combat missions.

According to information available on Sukhoi’s official platform, the Su-57 is equipped with a deeply integrated avionics suite that offers a high level of automation and intelligent crew support. Its onboard systems enable it to operate autonomously and exchange data in real time with ground control systems or as part of a coordinated task force.

The aircraft can deploy a broad range of air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions, allowing it to undertake both fighter and strike roles. Sukhoi states that the jet is capable of conducting covert missions owing to reduced visibility across multiple wavelength ranges.

The Su-57 is also fitted with an auxiliary power unit designed to improve deployment autonomy and lower fuel consumption during ground operations. An onboard oxygen extraction unit enhances operational endurance. Additionally, the aircraft features an explosion-proof fuel tank system described as a generator-type neutral gas system, aimed at improving combat survivability.

Regional security context

The reported deliberations come amid evolving regional dynamics. China, regarded as Pakistan’s close strategic partner, has developed the J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighter, and there are indications that such capabilities could eventually be shared with Pakistan.

India is also pursuing its own fifth-generation programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The first flight of the AMCA is expected around 2028 or 2029, with induction into the Air Force projected around 2035.

In this backdrop, any decision on the Su-57 would form part of a broader effort to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains prepared for future aerial warfare scenarios where stealth and advanced sensing capabilities play a decisive role.

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