India weather update: After witnessing intense rainfall over the weekend, Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India are experiencing a significant shift in weather conditions. The capital city and its surrounding areas were lashed by heavy showers, leading to a sharp dip in temperatures. Although Sunday brought intermittent sunshine, overcast skies continued to dominate, creating a mildly humid yet pleasant atmosphere.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this unsettled weather pattern is set to persist over the next week, particularly across northwest and central India. The agency has issued an orange alert for multiple states, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall.
IMD Forecast: A Stormy Week for Northern and Central India
Speaking to news agency PTI, IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava said that rain, thunder, and strong winds are likely to continue across northwestern India for the next 5-7 days. The affected states include Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Gujarat.
Several of these regions are under an orange alert for Sunday, meaning people are advised to remain cautious as weather conditions could disrupt daily life. Gujarat and Rajasthan, in particular, are likely to witness heavy rainfall over the next four to five days.
What Happened in the Past 24 Hours?
According to the latest IMD bulletin, the last 24 hours saw severe thunderstorms and gusty winds in various parts of the country. Eastern Rajasthan, Central India, Odisha, and Jharkhand experienced wind speeds reaching 70 to 100 km/h, while states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Eastern UP, and parts of Bihar saw wind gusts in the 40 to 70 km/h range.
The Ganga plains in West Bengal and regions of Telangana also witnessed localized storm activity.
Regional Outlook: What to Expect in the Coming Days
As per IMD’s extended forecast:
- Till May 6: Thunderstorms, lightning, and winds up to 60 km/h are expected in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
- Till May 8: Similar conditions will prevail in Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh.
- May 4–5: Dust storms and strong winds are likely in Madhya Pradesh.
- May 5: Expect severe thunder activity in Chhattisgarh and Bihar.
- May 4–5: Hailstorms could occur at isolated locations in eastern Madhya Pradesh.
- May 5: Hail activity is also expected in Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
Temperature Trends: No Major Shift Expected
Despite the active weather systems, temperatures are expected to remain stable for now. IMD indicates that maximum temperatures in northwest and central India will remain largely unchanged for the next four days. However, a slight rise of 2-3°C is possible in these regions afterward.
For western India, no significant change is forecast over the next three days, followed by a gradual increase of 3-5°C during the subsequent period.
With persistent rain-bearing systems and strong winds sweeping across the northern and central belt, residents are advised to stay updated with local weather alerts and take necessary precautions. The IMD continues to monitor the developments closely, issuing timely advisories to mitigate any potential weather-related disruptions.
