New Delhi: After days of relentless heatwave conditions across North and Central India, weather patterns are finally set to change as a powerful Western Disturbance moves into the region from May 28, bringing thunderstorms, hailstorms, dust storms and strong winds to several states.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thundersqualls with wind speeds of 60 to 70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph, over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and parts of West Uttar Pradesh. Similar intense weather activity is also expected in East Uttar Pradesh, while isolated hailstorms are likely in Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.
The development comes after extreme heat continued to grip large parts of northern India. Severe heatwave conditions persisted in East Uttar Pradesh, while Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and West Uttar Pradesh also recorded dangerously high temperatures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to remain cautious amid the soaring temperatures. He advised people to stay hydrated, carry water bottles while travelling and regularly monitor signs of heat exhaustion such as dizziness and fatigue. He also appealed to citizens to place water bowls for birds and animals struggling in the scorching heat.
While northern India battled intense heat, southern states witnessed heavy rainfall activity on Wednesday. Several areas in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep received significant rainfall. Bhoothpur in Telangana’s Mahabubnagar district recorded the highest rainfall of the day at 11 cm.
According to the IMD, strong thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50 to 60 kmph are also likely over Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Dust storms are expected in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, while heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Despite the expected storms, heatwave conditions are likely to continue in parts of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh over the next few days. Severe heatwave conditions may persist in East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and West Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon has advanced further into parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Bay of Bengal and the remaining areas of the Andaman Sea. Weather officials said conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to continue moving northward over the next two to three days.
The approaching Western Disturbance is also expected to bring major relief from the heat across Northwest India. Temperatures in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are forecast to fall by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius between May 28 and May 30.
After weeks of blistering summer temperatures, millions across North India may finally witness a much-needed break as storms arrive and the monsoon inches closer.