The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, warning residents of thunderstorms, hailstorms, lightning, and gusty winds between June 11 and June 12. This sudden change in weather will bring relief from the scorching heat but also a lot of daily life inconvenience.
According to the IMD forecast, Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad will also experience thunderstorms with strong winds of 50-70 kmph and even gusts of 80 kmph in some parts of the region at times. Light to moderate rainfall is expected to be the result of the intense heatwave conditions that have gripped the region in recent days, but the department warned of hailstorm activity during this period and urged residents to remain vigilant.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Chandigarh, and some districts are under a red alert due to the likelihood of severe thunderstorms and hail. Authorities have advised people to avoid sheltering under trees during lightning, secure loose outdoor objects, and stay indoors during peak thunderstorm hours. Traffic snarls, flight delays, and power disruptions are expected as the weather intensifies.
The current conditions are due to a western disturbance interacting with moisture-laden winds, triggering widespread pre-monsoon activity across North India, observed meteorologists. Other states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are expected to have similar weather patterns. This is also a precursor to the southwest monsoon, which will reach Delhi-NCR between June 25 and June 30.
While the thunderstorms and showers will provide much-needed respite from the heat, the IMD has advised residents to exercise caution due to the risks associated with hailstorms and strong winds. The wet spell will continue until June 13, when conditions might stabilize. Delhi-NCR will need to deal with two days of unstable weather relief or disruption.
