Delhi: Thunderstorms, Rain Bring Relief After Days Of Scorching Heat; IMD Warns Of More Turbulent Weather

After enduring a prolonged spell of scorching temperatures, residents of the national capital experienced a welcome reprieve from heatwave conditions early on Sunday, as light rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds swept through several parts of Delhi.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a severe thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds for Delhi and the wider National Capital Region (NCR), advising the public to remain indoors for safety.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to the IMD, a "moderate to intense spell of rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds reaching 80-100 kmph" passed over the capital during the early hours of Sunday.

Two thundersqualls, accompanied by hail, were recorded at the Safdarjung observatory between 03:48 and 03:50 IST, and again from 03:58 to 04:00 IST.

The first squall brought gusts reaching 82 kmph, while the second registered peak wind speeds of 104 kmph, the IMD reported.

The weather agency urged citizens to exercise caution: "Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel," the advisory read, warning that flying debris and low visibility could pose hazards on the roads.

On Friday, Delhi's official weather station at Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 41.2°C - a 2.7°C drop from Thursday but still 1.3°C above the seasonal norm.

The minimum temperature remained high at 31.0°C, 3°C above average. Humidity levels fluctuated between 51% and 69%, contributing to the sultry and uncomfortable conditions.

Looking ahead, IMD officials say the capital can expect generally overcast skies, with light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, dust storms, and lightning up to 19 June. Gusty winds are likely during storm activity.

This brief weather relief follows a red alert that had been issued for Delhi due to extreme heatwave conditions. Daytime temperatures had hovered between 41°C and 45°C, while night-time lows touched 31°C - four degrees above the seasonal average.

The IMD had earlier predicted partly cloudy skies with a possibility of thunderstorms and rain in the early hours of Sunday, potentially easing the oppressive heat.

In its extended forecast, the IMD noted that the southwest monsoon is expected to advance over the remaining parts of central and eastern India - as well as some areas of northwest India - between 12 and 18 June. The monsoon is projected to reach most of northwest India, including Delhi, between 19 and 25 June.

Delhi typically sees the monsoon arrive around 30 June. However, this year, it reached Kerala on 24 May - a full week ahead of the usual 1 June onset - and had arrived in Mumbai by 26 May, 16 days earlier than normal.

IMD records show that the monsoon reached Delhi on 28 June in 2023, 26 June in 2022, 13 July in 2021, and 25 June in 2020.

Following a nearly 10-day lull, monsoon activity has picked up once again, particularly in southern India. Since Wednesday, regions across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Konkan, and Maharashtra have experienced heavy to very heavy downpours. This resurgence suggests that the monsoon is now progressing swiftly northwards.

The IMD also forecast that the second phase of the monsoon will move across eastern India in the coming week, bringing much-needed rain to West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh.