The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued an orange alert for Delhi after the national capital was hit by rains and thunderstorm, reported the IANS.
Residents across Delhi-NCR woke up to rain, thunder and strong winds on Sunday morning, providing relief after several days of unusually high temperatures.
The IMD issued a warning of moderate rainfall, lightning and strong gusty winds during the day.
The sudden change in weather made the morning noticeably cooler and more comfortable across the National Capital Region, including New Delhi.
According to the IANS, the weather department said that residents should remain cautious as the changing conditions could bring sudden thunderstorms and intense wind activity.
Yellow alert for nearby NCR cities
Neighbouring cities in the NCR region, including Noida and Gurugram, have been placed under a yellow alert, as per the IANS.
This indicates the possibility of light rainfall and cloudy skies, though the risk level is lower compared with the orange alert issued for the national capital.
Western disturbance behind weather change
According to the India Meteorological Department, the sudden shift in weather conditions is linked to atmospheric activity over the Western Himalayas, the news agency reported.
Such weather patterns are commonly associated with a Western Disturbance, a system that frequently brings rainfall, thunderstorms and temperature changes to northern parts of India.
Temperatures likely to drop
The IMD said the rainfall and cloud cover could lead to a drop of around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures in New Delhi.
Officials also warned that surface winds of 30 to 40 kmph may occur during the rain spell, with gusts possibly reaching up to 50 kmph.
Residents have been advised to remain alert, especially during thunderstorms and strong winds.
Thunderstorms, rain and gusty winds likely in parts of Maharashtra from March 17-20
Earlier this week, the weather department had predicted that parts of Maharashtra were likely to witness stormy weather accompanied by rain and thunderstorms from March 17 to March 20.
Cautioning about the unexpected weather conditions, authorities have asserted that they may turn cloudy during the afternoon hours in many districts, increasing the likelihood of rain, lightning, and gusty winds.
The weather pattern is expected to affect regions of the state, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh, and parts of Central Maharashtra. As per the officials, overcast skies may lead to intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms in these regions.
(with IANS inputs)