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

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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]

India News

Mamata Banerjee warns BJP, EC over Bengal polls, says they will be accountable

Mamata Banerjee holds BJP and Election Commission responsible for any incidents during Bengal polls, raising concerns over officer transfers.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India responsible for any untoward incidents in the state during the upcoming assembly elections, following the transfer of key officials.

Addressing concerns over administrative reshuffles, Banerjee said that changes involving senior bureaucrats, including the chief secretary and home secretary, could affect governance and law and order in the state during a crucial period.

The Trinamool Congress chief also announced candidates for 291 constituencies for the elections scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Criticising the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the transfers were being carried out in a manner that benefits the BJP. She questioned the timing of the decisions and said such actions weaken the state administration at a sensitive time.

She further raised concerns about disaster management and essential services, stating that experienced officials familiar with the state’s situation have been replaced. According to her, this could impact administrative efficiency if any emergency arises before the new government is formed.

Protecting Bengal’s identity

Banerjee emphasised that the election is not merely about forming a government but about safeguarding Bengal’s identity and existence. She accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and attempting to influence the electoral process.

She urged that elections should be conducted peacefully, without external interference, and in line with democratic principles. The chief minister also expressed confidence that her party would return to power with a stronger mandate.

Appealing to voters, she called for support for the Trinamool Congress, asserting that the people of Bengal will ultimately decide the outcome and protect their democratic rights.

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Centre assures action on LPG supply disruption, court closes distributors’ plea

The Bombay High Court closed a plea by LPG distributors after the Centre assured diplomatic efforts to stabilise supply amid global disruptions.

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LPG cylinder

The Union government on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that it is taking diplomatic steps to address disruptions in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, following which the court disposed of a petition filed by LPG distributors.

Appearing before the Nagpur bench, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Centre was actively engaged in international-level negotiations to stabilise LPG supply. However, he noted that specific measures could not be disclosed due to their sensitive nature.

The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Justices Anil S Kilor and Raj D Wakode. The bench accepted the government’s assurances and closed the plea.

Distributors flagged supply disruption in Vidarbha

The petition was filed by six LPG distributors, including Omkar Sales, who raised concerns over disruptions in supply chains across Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region. They claimed the situation had led to a significant shortage of LPG for domestic consumers.

The distributors, dependent on Confidence Petroleum India Ltd (CPIL), alleged that despite directives prioritising domestic consumption, LPG was being diverted for export to capitalise on high international prices.

Government cites policy compliance, CPIL denies diversion

The petitioners referred to recent orders issued under the Essential Commodities Act and the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, which mandate prioritising household LPG supply during crises.

However, CPIL rejected the allegations, stating it was fulfilling pre-existing export commitments and had not violated any policy norms.

Court had earlier termed issue ‘serious’

During earlier hearings, the court had described the matter as “serious” and of “grave importance”, issuing notices to the Centre and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

On Tuesday, the Centre reiterated that macro-level supply challenges arising from global geopolitical tensions were being handled through diplomatic channels. It also said that any localised supply issues could be resolved by state authorities.

Taking note of these submissions, the bench disposed of the petition.

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India News

Om Birla likely to move motion to revoke suspension of 8 opposition MPs today

The Lok Sabha is likely to revoke the suspension of eight opposition MPs today, with a motion expected to be moved by the government following consensus on maintaining discipline.

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Om Birla

The suspension of eight opposition Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha is expected to be revoked on Tuesday, with Speaker Om Birla likely to initiate the process, according to sources.

The MPs, including seven from the Congress and one from the CPI(M), were suspended on February 3 for unruly conduct during the first phase of the Budget session after a resolution was adopted by the House.

Motion to be moved in Lok Sabha

Congress leader K Suresh said that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to move a motion around noon seeking revocation of the suspensions.

Although the suspension was initially imposed for the entire session, scheduled to conclude on April 2, opposition parties have consistently demanded reconsideration since the second phase of the session began on March 9.

Agreement on maintaining decorum

At a recent meeting convened by the Speaker, both ruling and opposition sides reportedly agreed on maintaining discipline in the House.

Key understandings include:

  • No member will enter the well of the House to protest
  • Papers will not be torn or thrown toward the Chair
  • MPs will not climb onto officials’ tables

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has also reminded members to keep areas within the Parliament premises obstruction-free to ensure smooth movement.

Speaker raises concern over conduct

Earlier, Om Birla had expressed concern over the use of banners, placards, and inappropriate language by some MPs. In a letter to party leaders, he stressed the need to uphold the dignity and traditions of parliamentary democracy.

He had also indicated that actions like suspension are taken in cases of serious misconduct, such as climbing onto tables during proceedings.

Suspended MPs

The suspended MPs include Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole, Dean Kuriakose (Congress), and S Venkatesan (CPI-M).

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