Delhi lashed by heavy rain; IMD issues red alert for thunderstorms, strong winds at 90 kmph
New Delhi, June 12
Several parts of Delhi witnessed heavy rainfall late on Wednesday night, with showers continuing until midnight, as the India Meteorological Department issued a warning for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds across the metropolitan.
The government earlier issued a warning of an extremely severe alert, cautioning that strong thunderstorms with wind speeds of 70-90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph, accompanied by lightning, moderate to heavy rainfall, and hail, could affect parts of the district over the next three hours.
Meanwhile, in its forecast for June 11, the IMD predicted a generally cloudy sky with a spell of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, duststorms, and strong winds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, towards the evening and night.
For June 12, the IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds across Delhi.
The IMD predicted that towards the morning or forenoon, a spell of very light to light rain is expected, which will be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds travelling at speeds of 40-50 km/h with gusts reaching up to 60 km/h.
A second similar spell of very light to light rain is anticipated later towards the afternoon or evening, which will also bring thunderstorms, lightning, and strong, gusty winds of the same intensity.
According to IMD, "During morning - Very Light to Light Rainfall, Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning & gusty winds(40-50kmph), During forenoon - Very Light to Light Rainfall, Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning & gusty winds(40-50kmph)".
"During afternoon - Very Light to Light Rainfall, Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning & gusty winds(40-50kmph), During evening - Very Light to Light Rainfall, Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning & gusty winds(40-50kmph)," the IMD said.
In its weather bulletin, the IMD earlier stated that Delhi, along with Haryana and Chandigarh, is expected to experience hailstorms during June 11-12. The weather office has also extended this alert to several other parts of North India.
Northwest India is likely to witness a wet spell till June 13 under the influence of a Western Disturbance, the IMD said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The IMD warnings are good, but do people actually take them seriously? Every year we see the same pattern - heavy rain, fallen trees, power cuts. The authorities should pre-position recovery teams. Especially with hailstorms predicted, farmers in nearby areas must be worried about their crops. 🌾
As someone who moved to Delhi recently from the US, this is intense! Back home we'd get similar warnings for tornadoes. The frequency of these alerts shows how unpredictable the weather has become. Climate change is real, folks. Stay safe, everyone. 🤞
This is what happens when we destroy all the green cover for flyovers and malls. Delhi used to have a natural drainage system through its lakes and parks, but now everything is concrete. The government should focus on urban planning instead of just issuing red alerts. Just saying. 🌧️
I remember similar warnings last June - my flight from Delhi was delayed by 6 hours! Hope the airport authorities are prepared with backup generators and drainage pumps. To all Delhiites, please avoid going near hoardings and weak structures during this weather. Stay home if possible. 💪
I appreciate the IMD's detailed forecast, but why is the warning for hailstorms not being taken seriously? Last year, hailstones damaged car windshields in South Delhi. Also, with power cuts expected, hospitals should have ensured backup power. Acha hai ki warning aayi but execution matters more. ⛈️
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