Imphal, May 26 2009: Weather forecast of the Meteorological department has cautioned that strong winds with thunderstorms are likely to sweep across the state in the next couple of days even though rain has brought relief to the people who have been suffering excessive heat in the last few weeks.

The forecast of the day (Tuesday) showed possibility of thunderstorm occurring at night time.

Chance of precipitation 50% (water equivalent of 3.41 mm) also showed.

Rain will continue on Wednesday as the forecast showed chances of precipitation of 30% (water equivalent of 1.82 mm).

Manipur experienced the hottest day on May 21 as the mercury touched 40.5 degrees Celsius, forcing a majority of the people to remain indoors or use protective cover from heat.

But it was relief with the advent of the rain since yesterday.

But on the second day of the raining today, meteorological office at Imphal airport today cautioned the people that strong wind with thunderstorm likely to advent in the state in the next 24 hour.

The warning belt from the office came up amidst cyclone hit West Bengal claimed at least 35 people across the state, according to agency reports.

The weather condition of West Bengal is related with the states of the north eastern state which got monsoon shower from the Bay of Bengal.

Currently, a cyclonic system with a maximum diameter of 250-350 km with wind speeds of 120 kmph is sweeping across Bengal.

At least 35 people have been killed across the state, 15 of them in Kolkata and Howrah and 20 others in South Bengal districts.

Over 1500 trees lie uprooted across the main thoroughfares in the city, several electric poles have keeled over, electricity, water supply and cable connections have been disrupted in several pockets across the metropolis, IANS report.

Meteorology department sources here said South-West monsoon is advancing into the north eastern region today evening, a couple of days before than it was earlier predicted.

The department has predicted good monsoon for the region, though NE states had been recording below par rainfall in the last few months.

The region was put on alert for a heavy storm with forecasting heavy rain in the next 24 hours.

Widespread rain was forecast for most parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram, and in many parts of Arunachal Pradesh in the next 24 hours, according to the weather forecast from meteorological observation centre at Shillong.

Mention may be made that a heavy thunderstorm in the first week of this month has claimed one life apart from causing heavy damages to the dwelling houses and other structures like school buildings.

Many trees also rooted to ground in the thunder storm with hail that swept across the entire valley areas.

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