India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Sudden
hailstorms,
sharp
thunderstorms
and
strong
winds
are
set
to
hit
Delhi-NCR
and
nearby
cities,
with
the
IMD
placing
the
region
under
an
orange
alert.
Conditions
have
already
turned
severe
over
parts
of
north
India
since
Sunday,
29
January,
as
dense
clouds,
rain
and
hail
keep
sweeping
across
several
states
under
an
active
Western
Disturbance.
Residents
across
Delhi-NCR
should
brace
for
more
disruptions
through
the
week
as
rain,
hail
and
gusty
winds
continue.
The
IMD
has
warned
that
schools
and
offices
may
suspend
activities,
roads
can
become
slippery,
and
short-term
waterlogging
or
urban
flooding
may
appear
in
low-lying
neighbourhoods.
Agencies
like
Delhi
Traffic
Police
and
MCD
are
likely
to
face
heavy
clearing
work
once
each
storm
cell
passes.
The
IMD
has
issued
an
orange
alert
for
Delhi-NCR
due
to
predicted
hailstorms,
thunderstorms,
and
strong
winds,
starting
from
January
29th,
with
potential
disruptions
to
schools,
offices,
and
infrastructure,
lasting
through
the
week
and
possibly
easing
from
Thursday.
Rain
Orange
alert
for
Delhi-NCR
hailstorms
and
thunderstorms:
IMD
forecast
The
orange
alert
issued
for
Delhi-NCR
signals
a
phase
of
moderate
to
heavy
rain
and
thunderstorms
in
parts
of
the
region.
Hail
and
lightning
may
strike
isolated
locations,
while
surface
wind
speeds
are
predicted
to
reach
30-50
km/hr
with
occasional
stronger
gusts.
The
IMD
has
flagged
the
next
24-48
hours
as
particularly
active,
with
a
risk
of
intense
spells
at
short
notice.
Forecasts
show
that
thunderstorms
and
lightning
will
often
accompany
rain
over
Delhi-NCR
instead
of
light
drizzle.
Similar
stormy
conditions
are
expected
over
isolated
pockets
in
Haryana,
Chandigarh,
Uttar
Pradesh,
Punjab
and
Rajasthan.
Some
of
these
areas
can
also
see
hailstorms,
raising
concerns
for
property,
vehicles
parked
outdoors
and
exposed
agriculture
fields
during
peak
activity.
Orange
alert,
Delhi-NCR
hailstorms
and
thunderstorms:
impact
across
north
India
The
same
Western
Disturbance
driving
the
orange
alert
for
Delhi-NCR
hailstorms
and
thunderstorms
is
shaping
weather
over
much
of
north
India.
Himachal
Pradesh
and
Uttarakhand
are
likely
to
receive
rain
and
thunderstorms,
with
snowfall
possible
at
some
higher,
isolated
locations.
IMD
projections
also
point
to
rain
mixed
with
hail
and
snow
across
the
wider
western
Himalayan
belt.
Jammu-Kashmir,
Himachal
Pradesh
and
Uttarakhand
may
therefore
witness
rain
turning
into
snowfall
at
many
hill
spots,
along
with
hail
in
some
valleys.
At
the
same
time,
plains
over
Punjab,
Haryana
and
western
Uttar
Pradesh
are
expected
to
face
strong
thunderstorms
and
lightning.
These
states
also
remain
under
watch
for
scattered
hailstorms,
which
could
damage
standing
crops
if
left
uncovered.
Orange
alert,
Delhi-NCR
hailstorms
and
thunderstorms:
temperatures
and
weekly
outlook
With
clouds
thickening
and
rain
sweeping
in,
maximum
temperatures
are
projected
to
fall
further
across
the
region.
Delhi
has
already
logged
one
of
the
coldest
January
days
in
several
years,
and
the
chill
is
set
to
sharpen
as
day
temperatures
dip.
Rainfall
and
thunderstorm
activity
are
likely
to
cover
much
of
this
week
across
north
India,
not
just
Delhi-NCR.
Weather
systems
are
expected
to
stay
active
both
over
Delhi-NCR
and
towards
the
northern
hills
for
a
few
more
days.
IMD
guidance
suggests
that
conditions
should
start
easing
from
Thursday,
once
the
Western
Disturbance
moves
away
from
north
India.
However,
because
on-and-off
rain
may
continue,
daytime
temperatures
are
not
expected
to
rebound
sharply
even
after
the
main
system
weakens.
People
living
under
the
orange
alert
for
Delhi-NCR
hailstorms
and
thunderstorms
are
advised
to
stay
cautious
during
intense
spells.
IMD
suggests
avoiding
non-essential
travel
in
heavy
rain,
taking
shelter
during
hail,
staying
away
from
windows
in
storms
and
using
extra
care
while
walking
or
driving.
Farmers
and
residents
in
affected
states
are
also
urged
to
secure
crops
and
loose
objects
that
could
be
damaged
by
hail
or
strong
winds.
