Hailstorm alert: IMD warns of stormy, rainy week for Delhi and Northwest India

The IMD has forecast a wet spell over northwest India till June 13, with thunderstorms, hailstorms and winds gusting up to 80 kmph on June 11 and June 12. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected over northeast India, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the next week.

In Short

• IMD forecasts wet spell over northwest India till June 13.
• Hailstorms, winds gusting up to 80 kmph on June 11.
• Heavy rain likely over northeast India, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,

If you live in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana or Rajasthan, do not put away your umbrellas just yet.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a wet spell over northwest India till June 13, with thunderstorms, gusty winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour, and hailstorms likely on June 11 and June 12.

The reason behind this dramatic turn in the weather is a western disturbance. In simple terms, a western disturbance is a storm system that originates over the Mediterranean Sea and travels eastwards, picking up moisture along the way.

When it reaches India, it brings rain, snow and thunderstorms, mostly to the northern and northwestern parts of the country.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NORTHWEST INDIA

The IMD has warned of thundersqualls, which are sudden, violent windstorms accompanied by thunder and rain, over East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and West Rajasthan on June 11 and June 12.

Wind speeds during these squalls could reach 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour.

Isolated hailstorms are likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh on June 11 and June 12.

Duststorms may sweep across parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh during this period.

There is some relief in the forecast too. Maximum temperatures over northwest India are expected to fall by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius between June 11 and June 13, before rising again by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

HEAVY RAIN IN THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTH

The weather story does not end in the north. The IMD has said that isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, ranging from 7 to 20 centimetres, is very likely over northeast India and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the next five to seven days. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya are expected to receive very heavy showers through the week.

Down south, heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Kerala and Mahe may receive very heavy rainfall on June 11 and June 12, while strong surface winds are expected along the Kerala, Lakshadweep and Karnataka coasts.

HEAT WAVE'S LAST STAND

Before the rain takes over, parts of north India will endure one final blast of heat.

Heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over East Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, West Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh on June 11.

A heat wave is declared when temperatures rise well above what is normal for a region, posing health risks.

Hot and humid conditions will also prevail over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Konkan and Goa, Odisha and Tamil Nadu on June 11.

The IMD has advised people to stay updated and to take precautions during thunderstorms, especially avoiding open fields and staying away from trees during lightning.

- Ends