The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an extended spell of rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms across large parts of the country, driven by two active western disturbances currently influencing weather systems over northwest India.
According to the IMD, the wet spell is likely to continue through the week, with peak activity expected on April 3 and 4.
The impact will be most pronounced over northwest India, where rainfall, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms are expected across states such as Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
The department has also warned of intense thunderstorm and lightning activity over central India till April 6, with isolated hailstorm events likely until April 2. Regions including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and adjoining areas are expected to witness gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 60-80 km/h in some places.
In eastern and northeastern India, scattered to fairly widespread rainfall is forecast through the week. The IMD has indicated the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall over northeastern states on March 31 and April 1, particularly affecting Assam and Meghalaya.
The evolving weather pattern is being shaped by multiple atmospheric systems, including upper air cyclonic circulations over north Pakistan, southwest Rajasthan, east Uttar Pradesh, and northeast Assam, along with troughs and wind discontinuities extending across the subcontinent.
A fresh western disturbance is also expected to impact northwest India from April 2 onward, further intensifying weather activity.
Temperature trends are also expected to fluctuate. Maximum temperatures over northwest India are likely to remain normal to below normal until April 6, with a brief rise followed by a gradual fall of 2-4°C.
Central and eastern regions are also expected to see a dip in daytime temperatures before a gradual increase later in the week.
The IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts across multiple regions, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and hailstorms. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly in areas prone to severe weather.
The forecast underscores a dynamic transition period in India’s pre-monsoon season, with widespread atmospheric instability set to influence weather conditions across much of the country in the coming days.
