Rain, gusty winds lash parts of Delhi (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds swept across several parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday, bringing a sharp change in weather conditions after days of intense summer heat.
Areas across Delhi witnessed heavy showers, while Noida and nearby regions experienced gusty winds and dark cloud cover during the afternoon. The sudden spell of rain led to a noticeable drop in temperatures and provided much-needed relief to residents struggling with high heat levels.
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Visuals from different parts of the national capital region showed dust storms, reduced visibility and rain-lashed roads as the weather shifted abruptly.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi on June 4 and June 5, warning residents about thunderstorms, lightning activity, rainfall and strong surface winds.
According to the weather department, cloudy skies along with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers are likely to continue across Delhi, Noida and adjoining NCR regions over the next few days.
The IMD has advised people to remain cautious while travelling as sudden weather activity may lead to traffic disruptions, waterlogging and reduced visibility in some areas.
Weather officials expect intermittent rainfall and gusty winds to continue across parts of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram till at least June 6. The ongoing weather activity is being linked to changing atmospheric conditions as the southwest monsoon advances over southern parts of the country.
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The IMD said the southwest monsoon has officially arrived over Kerala and has further advanced into several regions, including Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, parts of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
The arrival of the monsoon has drawn attention after the IMD revised its seasonal rainfall forecast for the June-to-September period.
The department has projected that India may receive below-normal rainfall this year, estimated at around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). According to weather experts, the possible development of El Niño conditions over the Pacific Ocean could weaken monsoon activity in the coming months.
Officials said El Niño conditions are expected to gradually strengthen by September, which may impact overall rainfall distribution during the season.
