Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 2: The residents of Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to a dramatic change in weather on Friday morning, as heavy rain and severe thunderstorms swept through the region, breaking a prolonged spell of scorching summer heat.
At around 5:19 a.m., the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an urgent alert on social media platform X, predicting intense thunder and lightning, accompanied by squally winds reaching speeds of 70-80 kmph over the capital within the following two hours. The forecast proved accurate, as the skies darkened and gusty winds brought rainfall across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and surrounding areas.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the national capital for the next three days, cautioning citizens to remain vigilant as thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected to persist. The weather department has confirmed that these weather developments are expected to bring a marginal but welcome dip in mercury levels across the region.
Apart from Delhi-NCR, the turbulent weather has impacted large parts of North India. Strong rains, lightning, and winds ranging from 40 to 90 km/h have been reported in Haryana’s Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, Palwal, and Nuh; in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura, Hathras, Agra, and Shamli; and in parts of Rajasthan including Bhiwari and Bharatpur.
The IMD attributed this dramatic shift in weather patterns to an active Western Disturbance poised to influence the northwest regions from May 2. Under its impact, states like Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall, high winds, and scattered lightning events.
In Himachal Pradesh, the weather department has issued a yellow alert for lower and mid-hill regions, cautioning of possible thunderstorms and even snowfall in higher reaches. From May 1 onwards, districts across the hill state are expected to receive intermittent rainfall, thunderstorms, and cool winds, likely resulting in a temperature drop of 3–4°C over the next week.
Meanwhile, heatwave warnings continue to remain in effect across parts of West Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. The IMD also flagged hot and humid conditions for states in western and southern India, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
Between April 30 and May 2, scattered hailstorms have also been forecast for Odisha and North Interior Karnataka. The broader region of Northern and Peninsular India is expected to experience continued thunderstorm activity through May 4.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors during heavy wind and rain spells and follow local advisories. The weather rollercoaster underscores the increasingly unpredictable nature of seasonal transitions in the subcontinent.