Rain, hailstorm bring major relief from heatwave across Haryana, Punjab
In Haryana, rain was reported in Panchkula, Fatehabad, and Sirsa during the morning hours, while light showers continued in parts of the state later in the day.
India is witnessing sharply contrasting weather patterns, with parts of the country battling an intense heatwave while others face heavy rain, thunderstorms and hailstorms, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.
The unusual mix of extreme conditions has been driven by multiple active weather systems, with the IMD warning of continued disruptions across regions, including crop damage, flooding risks and health concerns due to rising temperatures.
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Heatwave intensifies across North and Central India
A fresh spell of heatwave has tightened its grip over Haryana and expanded to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and East Madhya Pradesh. Temperatures across several regions, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, have ranged between 40°C and 45°C.
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Wardha and Akola in Maharashtra recorded the highest temperature at 45°C.
In Delhi-NCR, conditions have turned unusually harsh for April, resembling peak summer months. The IMD has issued a heatwave alert from April 21 to 24. The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 41°C on Tuesday, which is likely to rise to 43°C over the next two days.
Heatwave conditions are expected to persist even during evening hours, with only marginal relief likely towards April 25-26.
Air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR amid rising heat
The heat has been accompanied by poor air quality across the region. Several monitoring stations in Delhi reported AQI levels in the ‘poor’ category, including Anand Vihar (224), Bawana (196), Ashok Vihar (173), and Chandni Chowk (162).
Neighbouring areas also showed similar trends. Noida recorded AQI levels between 147 and 197 across sectors, while Ghaziabad’s Loni touched 301, falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
Experts have warned that the combination of high temperatures and pollution could increase health risks, advising residents to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and use protective measures.
Heavy rain, storms and hail hit other regions
While northern and central parts reel under heat, several other regions are witnessing intense rainfall and storm activity. Assam recorded very heavy rainfall between 12 cm and 20 cm, while Nagaland received 7 cm to 11 cm rainfall.
Thunderstorms with wind speeds of 50 kmph to 80 kmph affected Marathwada, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Assam, and Meghalaya. Gusty winds ranging from 30 kmph to 50 kmph were reported across multiple regions, with Marathwada seeing winds as strong as 83 kmph.
Hailstorms were reported in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana.
Weather systems driving the extreme conditions
The IMD said a Western Disturbance persists over Jammu and Kashmir as an upper air cyclonic circulation, while additional systems are active over southwest Rajasthan and northeast Assam. Troughs extending across multiple regions are also influencing current weather patterns.
Another Western Disturbance is expected to impact the Western Himalayan region from April 23, likely bringing rainfall and snowfall to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh between April 24 and 26.
What to expect across regions
Northeast India is likely to continue receiving widespread rainfall, with heavy-to-very-heavy showers expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya between April 20 and 22, and again later in the month.
Eastern states, including Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, may witness thunderstorms, gusty winds and thundersqualls. Central India could see similar activity along with hailstorms.
Southern and western states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Kerala are expected to receive scattered rainfall with thunderstorms, with hailstorms possible in isolated areas.
Advisory for residents and farmers
The IMD has warned that thunderstorms and hailstorms may damage crops, trees, power lines and weak structures, particularly in Bihar and Odisha, where thundersqualls pose a risk.
Heavy rainfall in the Northeast could trigger flooding, landslides and traffic disruptions.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors during severe weather, avoid taking shelter under trees and follow official advisories. Farmers have been advised to take simple precautions to protect their crops, such as using hail nets, keeping fields well-drained, harvesting ripe produce in time, and using irrigation and mulching to reduce the impact of heat.
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