Heavy rain, thunderstorm in Delhi, parts of NCR, bring respite from intense heat

Weather in Delhi: Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed Delhi-NCR, bringing much-needed relief from scorching heat and lowering temperatures across the region.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept across Delhi and parts of the NCR on Thursday, bringing much-needed relief from the intense heatwave conditions that had gripped the region over the past few days. Strong winds, lightning and showers led to a significant drop in temperatures, offering respite to residents struggling with soaring mercury levels.

Weather in Delhi: The city is on orange alert for severe thunderstorm, hailstorm in evening hours. (Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times)

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), another spell of light to moderate rainfall, with intensity reaching up to 10 mm per hour at many places and isolated intense spells of 10-15 mm per hour, is likely to affect Delhi after an hour and continue over the subsequent 1-2 hours. " Another spell of light to moderate rainfall (upto 10mm/hr) at many places with intense spell (10-15mm/hr) at isolated places accompanied with Thunderstorm/Lightning/Strong Winds (50-60 gusting to 70 kmph) at many places and Hailstorm at isolated places is likely after an hour over Delhi during subsequent 1-2 hour," the weather department wrote.

The Met department had earlier issued weather alerts for Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and nearby regions, warning of severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and isolated hailstorms are very likely at many places across the region.

Delhi on orange alert as rain, severe thunderstorm likely to hit in few hours. (IMD)

IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava told news agency ANI,"If we look at Northwest India, maximum temperatures have primarily been running high, hovering at 45 degrees Celsius or above. Our forecast indicates that over the coming three days, under the influence of a Western Disturbance and the simultaneous arrival of easterly winds over the plains of Northwest India, thunderstorm activity is expected across the Western Himalayan region as well as the adjacent plains."

He said the change in weather is expected to bring major relief from the ongoing heatwave in states including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

However, the IMD has also warned of strong winds and severe weather conditions in several regions. Wind speeds in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas may reach 60 to 70 kilometres per hour and could touch 80 kilometres per hour in some places.

Srivastava added that some parts of Uttar Pradesh may witness even stronger winds of 80 to 90 kilometres per hour, with speeds occasionally reaching 100 kilometres per hour.

The IMD has also issued hailstorm warnings for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh, and advised people to remain cautious during the changing weather conditions.