New Delhi, India — May 6, 2026
A sudden shift in weather conditions swept across large parts of North India on Monday, bringing intense thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds that significantly lowered temperatures across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh alert, warning of continued unstable weather conditions on Tuesday.
The abrupt change is being attributed to an active western disturbance that impacted the northwestern Himalayan region and adjoining plains. Several states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, experienced widespread rainfall accompanied by dust storms and lightning.
According to IMD data, maximum temperatures across many regions dropped by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, providing temporary relief from the ongoing heat. In eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of West Bengal, temperatures remained below 36°C, while regions like Vidarbha, Rajasthan, and coastal Andhra Pradesh continued to record higher temperatures between 36°C and 40°C. The highest temperature was reported in Adilabad, Telangana, at 45.3°C.
Heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of western Uttar Pradesh, with some locations receiving between 11 cm and 20 cm of precipitation. Wind speeds ranged between 60–80 km/h in isolated areas, causing disruptions and localized damage. Hailstorms were also reported across multiple states, including Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
In addition, isolated heavy rainfall events were recorded in Uttarakhand, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura.
Fresh Weather Alert Issued
The IMD has forecast that similar weather conditions will persist across northwestern, central, and eastern India. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds of 40–60 km/h, and possible hailstorms are expected in several regions.
Light to moderate rainfall and snowfall are likely to continue in the western Himalayan regions, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh through May 6, and Uttarakhand until May 8.
States such as Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar are also expected to witness rainfall on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a severe weather alert has been issued for Delhi NCR, including Ghaziabad, Noida, and Hapur, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, and possible hail.
Impact on Agriculture
While the sudden weather change has brought relief from intense heat, it has raised concerns for farmers. Hailstorms and strong winds could potentially damage standing crops in several agricultural regions.
Authorities have advised residents to stay cautious during thunderstorms and avoid open areas during lightning activity.
