Heavy rain, dust storm hit Delhi-NCR, bring much-needed relief from heat
After days of brutal heatwave conditions, dust storms, gusty winds and rain swept across Delhi-NCR on Thursday evening, bringing a sharp temperature drop even as IMD warned of more thunderstorms and hail through the night.
After days of relentless heatwave conditions, thunderstorms, dust storms, hail and heavy rain swept across large parts of north India on Thursday evening, bringing dramatic relief from temperatures that had touched 44°C to 49°C in several regions.
Delhi-NCR witnessed strong winds, lightning and intense showers as dark clouds engulfed the sky after days of punishing heat. Gusty winds lashed several parts of the capital before rain began in areas including Tughlakabad, bringing temperatures down sharply and offering much-needed relief to residents.
The India Meteorological Department issued orange warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand.
According to the IMD, thunderstorms with gusty winds of up to 60 kmph and heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour were very likely over districts including Aligarh, Jhansi, Mahoba and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, along with Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Hisar, Mewat, Rewari and Sirsa in Haryana.
Orange warnings for thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 40-60 kmph were also issued for several districts across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. In Delhi, all major districts, including Central Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, South Delhi, East Delhi and Shahdara, were placed under alert.
Weather experts warned that strong dust storms with wind speeds of 50-90 kmph, followed by heavy rain and thundershowers, were likely across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad between 6.15 pm and 9 pm. Some places were also expected to witness hailstorm activity.
Temperatures across the region are now expected to dip by 7°C to 10°C from recent highs.
DELHI-NCR GETS RELIEF AFTER DAYS OF SCORCHING HEAT
The dramatic weather shift came after north India reeled under one of the harshest heat spells of the season. Day temperatures had climbed above 45°C in several cities, while nights remained unusually warm, making conditions unbearable for many.
In Delhi, rain lashed multiple areas by evening after dust-laden winds swept through the city. Videos from several neighbourhoods showed trees swaying violently as thunderclouds rolled over the capital.
The sudden showers brought visible relief to residents who had spent days battling extreme heat and humidity.
The weather system moved eastward from Rajasthan and Haryana towards Delhi-NCR, with satellite imagery showing dense cloud formations stretching towards Agra and adjoining regions.
According to the IMD, thunderstorm and rain activity is expected to continue across parts of Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and western Uttar Pradesh through the night.
Officials advised people to remain indoors during intense thunderstorm activity and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of low visibility caused by dust storms.
SRI GANGANAGAR SEES HAIL AFTER TOUCHING 48.2°C
Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar, which recorded a blistering 48.2°C earlier in the day and became one of the hottest places in the world, witnessed a dramatic turnaround by evening.
Dark clouds gathered over the city before heavy rain and hailstorms lashed several areas. Residents said hailstones nearly the size of berries fell for around 20 minutes as strong winds swept through the district.
The IMD had earlier issued a yellow alert for rain in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts.
The sudden downpour brought huge relief from the searing heat. Earlier in the day, Sri Ganganagar had emerged as the world’s second-hottest location after Pakistan’s Jacobabad, which recorded 50°C.
HAILSTORMS TURN PARTS OF UTTARAKHAND WHITE
In Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district, torrential rain and hailstorms transformed roads and fields into sheets of white.
Residents said the hailstorm was so intense that several stretches resembled snow-covered landscapes. While the rain helped douse forest fires and cool temperatures, farmers feared damage to fruit and vegetable crops.
Locals said paddy nurseries received much-needed water, but the hailstorm could hurt standing produce and affect harvesting in some areas.
AMRAVATI WEATHER FLIPS AFTER 45°C DAY
Maharashtra’s Amravati also witnessed dramatic weather changes during the ongoing Nautapa heatwave period.
The city sweltered through nearly 45°C temperatures during the day before thick clouds gathered by evening. Strong winds, lightning and heavy rain followed, accompanied by hailstorms in several parts of the district.
The showers brought relief to residents struggling through the extreme heat, though waterlogging briefly disrupted traffic in low-lying areas.
Many residents stepped outdoors to enjoy the cooler weather after enduring days of blistering temperatures.
Weather officials said the changing conditions were linked to a western disturbance and pre-monsoon activity, which could continue over the coming days.
DELHI AIRPORT ISSUES WEATHER ADVISORY
Amid worsening weather conditions across Delhi-NCR, Delhi International Airport Limited warned of possible disruptions to flight operations.
“Due to inclement weather conditions and expected thunderstorms in Delhi, some flights might be impacted at Delhi Airport,” DIAL said in a post on X.
Passengers were advised to check updated flight schedules with airlines before leaving for the airport.
“Passengers can consider alternative modes of transport, including the Delhi Metro, to avoid possible delays,” the advisory said.
While the rain spell does not signal the onset of the monsoon, it has delivered a much-needed break from the brutal heatwave conditions that dominated north India through much of May.
After days of relentless heatwave conditions, thunderstorms, dust storms, hail and heavy rain swept across large parts of north India on Thursday evening, bringing dramatic relief from temperatures that had touched 44°C to 49°C in several regions.
Delhi-NCR witnessed strong winds, lightning and intense showers as dark clouds engulfed the sky after days of punishing heat. Gusty winds lashed several parts of the capital before rain began in areas including Tughlakabad, bringing temperatures down sharply and offering much-needed relief to residents.
The India Meteorological Department issued orange warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand.
According to the IMD, thunderstorms with gusty winds of up to 60 kmph and heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour were very likely over districts including Aligarh, Jhansi, Mahoba and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, along with Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Hisar, Mewat, Rewari and Sirsa in Haryana.
Orange warnings for thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 40-60 kmph were also issued for several districts across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. In Delhi, all major districts, including Central Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, South Delhi, East Delhi and Shahdara, were placed under alert.
Weather experts warned that strong dust storms with wind speeds of 50-90 kmph, followed by heavy rain and thundershowers, were likely across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad between 6.15 pm and 9 pm. Some places were also expected to witness hailstorm activity.
Temperatures across the region are now expected to dip by 7°C to 10°C from recent highs.
DELHI-NCR GETS RELIEF AFTER DAYS OF SCORCHING HEAT
The dramatic weather shift came after north India reeled under one of the harshest heat spells of the season. Day temperatures had climbed above 45°C in several cities, while nights remained unusually warm, making conditions unbearable for many.
In Delhi, rain lashed multiple areas by evening after dust-laden winds swept through the city. Videos from several neighbourhoods showed trees swaying violently as thunderclouds rolled over the capital.
The sudden showers brought visible relief to residents who had spent days battling extreme heat and humidity.
The weather system moved eastward from Rajasthan and Haryana towards Delhi-NCR, with satellite imagery showing dense cloud formations stretching towards Agra and adjoining regions.
According to the IMD, thunderstorm and rain activity is expected to continue across parts of Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and western Uttar Pradesh through the night.
Officials advised people to remain indoors during intense thunderstorm activity and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of low visibility caused by dust storms.
SRI GANGANAGAR SEES HAIL AFTER TOUCHING 48.2°C
Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar, which recorded a blistering 48.2°C earlier in the day and became one of the hottest places in the world, witnessed a dramatic turnaround by evening.
Dark clouds gathered over the city before heavy rain and hailstorms lashed several areas. Residents said hailstones nearly the size of berries fell for around 20 minutes as strong winds swept through the district.
The IMD had earlier issued a yellow alert for rain in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts.
The sudden downpour brought huge relief from the searing heat. Earlier in the day, Sri Ganganagar had emerged as the world’s second-hottest location after Pakistan’s Jacobabad, which recorded 50°C.
HAILSTORMS TURN PARTS OF UTTARAKHAND WHITE
In Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district, torrential rain and hailstorms transformed roads and fields into sheets of white.
Residents said the hailstorm was so intense that several stretches resembled snow-covered landscapes. While the rain helped douse forest fires and cool temperatures, farmers feared damage to fruit and vegetable crops.
Locals said paddy nurseries received much-needed water, but the hailstorm could hurt standing produce and affect harvesting in some areas.
AMRAVATI WEATHER FLIPS AFTER 45°C DAY
Maharashtra’s Amravati also witnessed dramatic weather changes during the ongoing Nautapa heatwave period.
The city sweltered through nearly 45°C temperatures during the day before thick clouds gathered by evening. Strong winds, lightning and heavy rain followed, accompanied by hailstorms in several parts of the district.
The showers brought relief to residents struggling through the extreme heat, though waterlogging briefly disrupted traffic in low-lying areas.
Many residents stepped outdoors to enjoy the cooler weather after enduring days of blistering temperatures.
Weather officials said the changing conditions were linked to a western disturbance and pre-monsoon activity, which could continue over the coming days.
DELHI AIRPORT ISSUES WEATHER ADVISORY
Amid worsening weather conditions across Delhi-NCR, Delhi International Airport Limited warned of possible disruptions to flight operations.
“Due to inclement weather conditions and expected thunderstorms in Delhi, some flights might be impacted at Delhi Airport,” DIAL said in a post on X.
Passengers were advised to check updated flight schedules with airlines before leaving for the airport.
“Passengers can consider alternative modes of transport, including the Delhi Metro, to avoid possible delays,” the advisory said.
While the rain spell does not signal the onset of the monsoon, it has delivered a much-needed break from the brutal heatwave conditions that dominated north India through much of May.
