Light rain lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday evening, bringing brief relief to residents who have been enduring punishing heat for several days.
The respite, however, comes with a warning: the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for the region, flagging the possibility of moderate to severe thunderstorms, lightning and isolated hailstorms over the next 48 hours.
IMD Warns of Winds Up to 80 kmph
The weather department posted a red nowcast warning on social media platform X, cautioning that intense thunderstorm activity over parts of South Haryana could spill into Delhi and the entire NCR belt. The agency warned of strong winds reaching up to 80 kilometres per hour, accompanied by hail and a duststorm.
Light to moderate rainfall is also expected across the affected areas. According to IMD, the storm system will gather strength on Friday and remain active through Saturday before gradually shifting toward Gujarat from Saturday evening or Sunday.
Stronger Than Earlier Pre-Monsoon Spells
Private weather forecaster Skymet's senior meteorologist Mahesh Palawat told news agency PTI that thunderstorm activity had already set in over northern Rajasthan and was expected to reach Delhi by Thursday evening, continuing through the night.
Palawat added that the current pre-monsoon spell is likely to be more intense than the showers the city received earlier this month and in April, with widespread rainfall activity anticipated across Delhi.
What Is Triggering the Weather Shift
The IMD has attributed the sudden change in weather to a combination of factors. A western disturbance over the hills has triggered an induced cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and surrounding areas. At the same time, moisture-laden winds blowing in from the Bay of Bengal have significantly raised humidity levels across the region, creating conditions ripe for heavy pre-monsoon activity.
Flights at Delhi Airport Facing Disruption
Delhi Airport issued a weather advisory on Thursday, alerting passengers that flight operations could be affected due to the deteriorating conditions. The airport said its ground teams are coordinating closely with airlines and other stakeholders to keep disruptions to a minimum and ensure smooth passenger movement.
Passengers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for updated flight schedules. The airport also urged travellers heading to the terminal to consider using the Delhi Metro as an alternative to road transport, given the likelihood of traffic snarls caused by rain and poor visibility.
Heat Stays Fierce Before the Break
Before the evening showers arrived, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The minimum temperature stood at 28.4 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees above the seasonal average, reflecting the intense heat the city has been grappling with in recent days.
Air Quality Holds at Moderate Level
Despite the heat and dust, Delhi-NCR's air quality index stood at 199 on Thursday, placing it in the moderate category as per the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI reading between 101 and 200 falls under the moderate bracket. Readings between 201 and 300 are classified as poor, 301 to 400 as very poor, and anything above 400 as severe. The approaching rain is expected to help bring dust levels down further over the coming days.
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