North India reeled under a mix of extreme weather on Thursday, with violent thunderstorms lashing some regions and heatwaves gripping others. Himachal Pradesh reported a tragic casualty, as eight-year-old Abhishek Kumar lost his life when a tree crashed onto a hut in Hamirpur during a storm.
Parts of Shimla and other hill areas were hit by heavy rain, hail, and thunderstorms, causing power cuts and uprooting trees. Crops in their flowering stage were badly affected, raising concerns among farmers.
Meanwhile, the plains baked under relentless heat. Rajasthan’s Barmer touched a blazing 45°C, while Delhi sizzled at 40.6°C. Uttar Pradesh too saw temperatures soar as heatwave alerts remained active.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning of continued adverse weather in coming days. Though a shift in conditions may bring relief after April 20, the current clash of cold and hot systems is triggering havoc reminding people across the region to stay cautious and weather-aware.