Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong gusty winds swept across several parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday, providing much-needed relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for the national capital.
Dark clouds gathered over the city during the afternoon before intense showers and strong winds lashed various parts of Delhi and adjoining regions. As weather conditions worsened, the IMD upgraded its earlier yellow alert to a red warning for Delhi, indicating the likelihood of severe weather.
The weather department also issued an orange alert for neighbouring areas, including Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Gurugram, cautioning residents about potentially hazardous weather conditions. Visuals from different parts of the National Capital Region showed strong winds kicking up dust before the arrival of rain. In Noida, gusty winds were reported as the weather changed dramatically within a short span of time.
According to the IMD, Delhi is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky that will gradually turn generally cloudy. The department forecast light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, during the afternoon and evening hours. The weather agency further stated that another spell of very light to light rain, along with thunderstorms and lightning activity, is likely to occur later during the night.
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The sudden change in weather brought considerable relief to residents who had been enduring several days of intense summer heat. The maximum temperature in the city was expected to remain between 40 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was likely to hover around 29.7 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has predicted that unsettled weather conditions will continue on Friday as well. A yellow alert has been issued for June 5, with the capital expected to experience generally cloudy skies throughout the day.
Weather officials said light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, could occur during the morning and forenoon hours. Another round of very light rainfall, coupled with thunderstorm and lightning activity, is also expected during the evening and night-time hours.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon continues to advance across different parts of the country. Meteorologists noted that evolving atmospheric conditions are contributing to increased thunderstorm activity over northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region.
Authorities have advised residents to exercise caution during periods of thunderstorms and strong winds. People have been urged to avoid taking shelter under trees, near unstable structures, or in open areas that may be vulnerable to lightning strikes and weather-related hazards.
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