Delhi-NCR rain, thunderstorms bring relief from heat, more wet weather ahead

Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds swept across several parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday evening, bringing much-needed relief from the intense heat that had gripped the region over the past few days.

Dark clouds blanketed the national capital before heavy showers lashed many areas of Delhi and adjoining NCR cities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast thunderstorms with rain and strong winds reaching up to 70 kmph at isolated locations.

The change in weather is expected to provide a temporary respite from soaring temperatures. The IMD has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by rain on Friday as well, while generally cloudy skies are likely to persist from June 14 to June 16.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday, two degrees above the seasonal average. The maximum temperature was expected to touch around 41 degrees Celsius before the evening rain brought relief.

The weather activity is part of a broader system affecting large parts of the country. According to the IMD, an active western disturbance, the advancing Southwest Monsoon and multiple cyclonic circulations are triggering thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and strong winds across several states.

The Southwest Monsoon has advanced further into Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as well as parts of West Bengal and Bihar, the weather office said.

For Friday, the IMD has placed large parts of North India under an Orange Alert, warning of potentially severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds. Dust storms are also likely at isolated places in Rajasthan.

Earlier on Thursday, residents across Delhi-NCR and parts of northern India received emergency alerts on their mobile phones warning of severe thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rainfall and winds that could reach speeds of up to 100 kmph in parts of western Uttar Pradesh.

- Ends