Residents across Delhi-NCR woke to cooler conditions on Wednesday as rain and strong winds swept through the region, offering relief from the persistent heatwave in the national capital. The change in weather
comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued both orange and yellow alerts, warning that more thunderstorms, rain and dust storms could affect the region later in the day.
According to the weather office, a western disturbance is driving the sudden shift in conditions across Delhi and neighbouring states.
Thunderstorms And Rain Likely Across Delhi-NCR
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph across Delhi and the wider NCR.
Similar conditions are expected in several surrounding areas, including Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Sohna, Rewari, Palwal, Narnaul, Bawal, Nuh, Aurangabad and Hodal in Haryana.
According to a report in the Economic Times, the alert also covers Baraut, Baghpat, Meerut, Khekra, Modinagar, Pilakhua, Hapur, Gulaothi, Sikandrabad, Bulandshahr and Khurja in Uttar Pradesh, along with Bhiwadi, Tijara, Khairthal, Kotputli, Alwar and Viratnagar in Rajasthan.
Meteorologists have also cautioned that dust storms may accompany the unsettled weather in the coming days.
Weather Outlook For Noida And Gurugram
Noida is expected to witness a generally cloudy sky with light rain through Wednesday.
In Gurugram, the forecast points to partly cloudy conditions, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers likely. Similar weather is expected on Thursday as well, though no rainfall has been forecast for Gurugram that day.
Delhi Under Yellow Alert As Rain And Strong Winds Likely
For Delhi, the IMD has issued a yellow alert, warning of very light to light rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching up to 50 kmph.
Comparable conditions are expected to persist on Thursday, although no fresh colour-coded warning has been issued for that day.
Officials noted that maximum temperatures dropped by 3 to 5 degrees across Delhi on Tuesday and are expected to remain below 40°C at least until Thursday.
More Rain Possible Before Temperatures Rise Again
The capital could see further showers towards the end of the month before clearer skies return from May 1.
With conditions expected to stabilise, temperatures may begin rising gradually and could touch 40–42°C by May 2. However, meteorologists have indicated there remains a possibility of very light rain and thunderstorms on May 3 and 4.
Orange Alert For SW Delhi, Yellow Warning In Several Areas
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for parts of northwest Delhi, west Delhi, north Delhi, south Delhi and southeast Delhi.
A higher orange alert has been sounded for southwest Delhi, where thunderstorms accompanied by winds of up to 60 kmph, lightning and brief spells of rain are possible.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, particularly during strong wind activity.
Dust Storm Threat Linked To Cyclonic Circulation
Experts have also warned Delhi-NCR to brace for possible dust storms over the coming days.
The shifting weather pattern has been linked to a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. According to experts, the system may carry dust from Rajasthan’s desert regions towards Delhi, potentially worsening air quality even as temperatures ease.
