Thunderstorm, rain bring respite from searing heat

NEW DELHI: Thunderstorm and rain hit Delhi on Wednesday and brought some respite from heat to Delhi residents, as the India Meterological Department had forecast dust storms and thundershowers over the national Capital, as well as the adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.

The rain also delayed the start of play at Feroz Shah Kotla between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils.

"Thunderstorm and rain showers are likely to commence from Western Himalayas from the evening of May 2. These weather changes are due to a western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir," the Met department said.

Residents of Delhi and elsewhere took to social media to share their joy over the much-needed breather, after reeling under hot weather conditions for the past few weeks.

The Capital witnessed a sudden change of weather, after dust storm lashed parts of the city earlier this week.

A Met department official noted that moving to the weather in East and North East India, a trough is seen extending from Uttar Pradesh to Mizoram across Jharkhand and West Bengal.

"Therefore, we expect moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers with strong winds to continue over West Bengal and Odisha along with few places of East Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

"Bihar may also receive light rain. Light to moderate rains is also expected over Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura whereas Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will receive light rains," he stated.

He added, "Further in central India, hot winds from Pakistan are reaching Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and parts of Chhattisgarh. Due to these winds, heatwave conditions are expected to continue at many places of Rajasthan, Vidarbha and parts of Madhya Pradesh. Isolated thunderstorm or rains may occur over Chhattisgarh. Mumbai is expected to see a warm and humid day."