NEW DELHI, May 28: After days of sweltering heatwave conditions, Delhiites got a respite on Thursday evening as heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds swept parts of the national capital, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the next few hours.
The IMD warned of moderate to severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, duststorms and isolated hailstorms at many places across the city, with wind speeds likely to reach 80 kilometres per hour. The weather office said the current spell of rain and thunderstorm activity is expected to continue till May 31.
The change in weather comes after several days of intense heat during which temperatures crossed the 45 degrees Celsius mark at various stations in Delhi. According to IMD data, maximum temperatures across the city on Thursday fell by around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius compared to the previous day.
Mahesh Palawat, Skymet Weather, said the intensity of the storms is likely to increase on Friday and the spell is expected to continue till May 30, after which the weather system is likely to shift towards Gujarat between May 30 and 31.
In Uttar Pradesh, large parts reeled under intense heat on Thursday, with Banda emerging as the hottest place in the state at 47.5 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.
The IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Lucknow said Jhansi recorded 46.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Orai at 44.8 degrees Celsius and Agra at 43.3 degrees Celsius. Kanpur city registered 42.2 degrees Celsius, while Aligarh touched 42.8 degrees Celsius.
Hamirpur and Lakhimpur Kheri also witnessed severe heat, recording 42.2 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius, respectively. Prayagraj recorded 41 degrees Celsius, while Churk in Sonbhadra registered 40.3 degrees Celsius.
The state capital Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius, 2.7 notches below normal. The minimum temperature in the city settled at 27.3 degrees Celsius.
The weather office, however, forecast relief from the scorching conditions, predicting rain and thundershowers at many places across the state over the next 24 hours.
The IMD warned that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and dust storms are very likely at isolated places over western Uttar Pradesh, with wind speeds ranging between 80 and 100 kilometres per hour. Similar conditions with wind speeds of 70 to 90 kmph are likely at isolated places in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Rajashtan’s Sri Ganganagar was the hottest place in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 47.1 degrees Celsius.
Churu recorded 46.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Kota and Pilani at 46.4 degrees Celsius, Alwar and Phalodi at 46 degrees Celsius, Jaipur at 45.4 degrees Celsius, Bikaner at 45.3 degrees Celsius, Bhilwara at 43.7 degrees Celsius and Ajmer at 42.3 degrees Celsius, according to the Met Department.
The department has issued an alert for thunderstorms, lightning and rain activity in parts of the state over the coming days due to the influence of a fresh western disturbance.
Thunderstorm activity accompanied by strong winds and light rainfall is likely in northern districts.
The IMD on Thursday issued a warning for Uttarakhand, predicting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and hail in several parts of the state on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the meteorological centre here, light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and snowfall at altitudes of 3,800 metres and above are likely at most places across the state.
An alert has been issued for seven districts. Isolated places in Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail, intense spells of rain, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph.
In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla Met office issued an ‘orange’ warning of hail, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed 40-60 kmph) at isolated places in five districts — Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur — for Friday.
Dry weather was observed in Himachal Pradesh in the past 24 hours since Wednesday evening and heatwave was witnessed in Una and Bilapsur. The Met department has predicted a wet spell in the state till June 3.
Hot weather conditions were seen in Haryana and Punjab, with Sirsa and Faridkot being the hottest in the two states.
Both Sirsa in Haryana and Faridkot in Punjab recorded identical maximum temperatures of 45.4 degrees Celsius, according to the Met department.
In Haryana, sizzling weather also prevailed in Hisar, Bhiwani and Rohtak, which recorded respective maximums of 44.2, 40 and 43.3 degrees Celsius each.
Ambala recorded a high of 40 degrees Celsius, while Narnaul registered a high of 40.5 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a high of 40 degrees Celsius.
In Punjab, Patiala registered a maximum of 40.8 degrees Celsius. Ludhiana recorded a maximum of 40.8 degrees Celsius, while Amritsar’s maximum temperature settled at 41.4 degrees Celsius. Ferozepur recorded a high of 41.5 degrees Celsius. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
