Dark clouds swallowed the Delhi skyline on Tuesday afternoon as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded its weather warning to an orange alert for the national capital and surrounding regions. This is a high-level weather warning indicating risky and severe conditions.
The shift comes as intense hailstorms were reported across south-west Haryana and North Rajasthan, with the turbulent weather system now moving toward the heart of the NCR.
Residents in areas like Manesar, Nuh, and Gurugram have been cautioned to brace for gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 60 kmph, accompanied by moderate rainfall and frequent lightning.
WHAT IS CAUSING THE UNSEASONAL RAIN IN DELHI NCR?
The primary driver of this atmospheric volatility is an active western disturbance.
This is an extra-tropical storm system that originates over the Mediterranean region and travels thousands of kilometres before hitting Northwest India.
As the system moves over the plains, it interacts with local moisture, creating deep instability.
According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation over Punjab and adjoining Haryana has further intensified these conditions, leading to the rapid development of thunderclouds across the region.
WHY IS THERE A HAILSTORM RISK IN HARYANA AND DELHI?
Hail occurs when powerful upward currents of air, known as updrafts, carry raindrops into the freezing upper layers of a storm cloud.
These droplets freeze into ice and circulate within the cloud, growing in size until they become too heavy for the wind to support.
The current weather setup over Haryana and Rajasthan is particularly energetic, providing the perfect conditions for these ice pellets to form and fall.
For Delhi, the risk remains high in specific pockets where storm cells are most intense.
HOW LONG WILL THE ORANGE ALERT LAST?
The orange alert indicates that residents should be prepared for disruptions.
The IMD nowcast suggests that light to moderate rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds will persist through the evening of March 31.
While the rain may cause a temporary dip in temperatures by two to four degrees Celsius, the high wind speeds pose a threat to weak structures and power lines.
Another western disturbance is expected to arrive around April 2, potentially keeping the weather unsettled for the remainder of the week.
