The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heatwave conditions across Northwest India will ease over the next three days due to incoming western disturbances and easterly winds, accompanied by warnings of thunderstorms, strong winds, and hailstorms in several areas.
Maximum temperatures, which have been around 45 degrees Celsius or higher, are expected to decrease sharply between May 28 and May 30, providing relief to northern and central states.
IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava stated, “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 added, “Consequently, a drop in maximum temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees Celsius and in some isolated pockets, up to 10 degrees Celsius is anticipated between the 28th May and the 30th May. As a result, significant relief is expected from the prevailing heatwave conditions across regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.”
The IMD also alerted that intense weather events including strong winds and thunderstorms may occur.
“Wind speeds in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and surrounding areas could be quite high, ranging from 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, potentially reaching up to 80 kilometres per hour,” Srivastava said.
He further warned, “In certain parts of Uttar Pradesh, wind speeds could range from 80 to 90 kilometres per hour, occasionally even touching 100 kilometres per hour. Warnings for hailstorms have been issued for the western regions, specifically covering Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh,” advising the public to exercise caution.