New Delhi, India – March 19, 2026
A sudden change in weather across northwest India has brought rainfall in plains and snowfall in hilly regions, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rain, thunderstorms, and possible hailstorms over the next two days.
Rain Brings Relief Across Delhi-NCR
Delhi-NCR witnessed cloudy skies throughout the day, followed by moderate to heavy rainfall in the evening. Strong winds accompanied the showers, providing relief from rising temperatures and humidity.
Cities including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad are expected to see light rain with thunderstorms until March 20, along with wind speeds reaching up to 50 km/h. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the region.
Meteorologists predict that temperatures could drop by 4–6 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours due to the ongoing weather activity.
Flight Operations Disrupted in Delhi
The adverse weather conditions also affected transportation. Waterlogging and traffic congestion were reported in several parts of Delhi during evening hours.
At Indira Gandhi International Airport, at least 22 flights were diverted due to strong winds and poor visibility, impacting air travel schedules.
Widespread Rain Across India
The weather system is not limited to North India. Several regions across eastern, northeastern, and southern India also experienced thunderstorms and rainfall.
Heavy rain reported in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu
Hailstorms observed in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Marathwada
Strong winds (50–70 km/h) recorded in Assam, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, and northeastern states
Moderate winds were also reported across Gujarat, Konkan, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of West Bengal.
Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir
Higher-altitude areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall, while plains received rainfall.
Snowfall recorded in Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti
Key routes like Atal Tunnel and Sinthan Top temporarily closed due to snow
Rainfall reported in Srinagar and surrounding areas
Helicopter services to Vaishno Devi shrine suspended due to bad weather
However, battery car and ropeway services remained operational.
Rain Lowers Temperatures in Punjab and Haryana
Light rainfall in Punjab and Haryana has led to a drop in maximum temperatures.
Amritsar recorded 19.4°C, around 8 degrees below normal
Temperature dips observed in Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, and Narnaul
Chandigarh recorded 27.8°C, slightly below normal levels
IMD Forecast for Coming Days
The IMD has predicted continued weather activity across multiple regions:
March 19–20: Rain and thunderstorms in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, West UP, and East Rajasthan
March 20: Rain likely in Western Rajasthan
Hailstorm Alert: Isolated hailstorms possible in plains, including parts of Uttar Pradesh
Till March 22: Thunderstorms and gusty winds expected across Central and Eastern India
Rainfall is also likely in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim over the next few days.
