A powerful pre-monsoon storm is sweeping across northern India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a formal alert.
Delhi, its satellite cities, and dozens of towns across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan were hit by rain this evening.
At 5:15 pm IST on March 18, the IMD issued an alert stating that light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, with gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, was very likely across the entire Delhi and NCR region.
HOW BAD WAS THE STORM?
Meteorologists flagged a very severe thunderstorm warning, with heavy rain and hailstorm possible between 5 pm and 7 pm.
Residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid open spaces, and keep away from windows during lightning activity.
WHICH AREAS ARE ON ALERT?
The IMD alert covers a sweeping list of towns beyond Delhi. In Haryana, the warning extends to Narwana, Jind, Panipat, Hissar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Rewari, Mahendargarh, Narnaul, Nuh, Palwal, Jhajjar, Charkhi Dadri, and several others.
In western Uttar Pradesh, Shamli, Bagpat, Baraut, and Khekra are included. In Rajasthan, Bhiwari, Khairthal, Kotputli, and Tizara fall under the warning zone.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF INDIA?
The unsettled weather is not limited to the north. Western Himalayan regions, including Kashmir and Uttarakhand, are receiving snowfall at higher altitudes with rain in the lower areas.
Punjab, Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are also seeing dust storms and thundershowers. Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and northeastern states face separate rain systems driven by independent moisture activity.
