Thick cloud cover persisted over Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday as unseasonal rain, gusty winds, and thunderstorms continued to affect daily life, a day after intense weather activity swept across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, warning residents of continued adverse conditions, including strong winds and rainfall, expected to last until Friday. The sudden change in weather brought down temperatures to around 19 degrees Celsius, offering temporary relief from rising heat but causing disruptions across the city.

The impact of the weather was visible across infrastructure and public services, with strong winds affecting the power supply and damaging electric grids in several parts of Delhi and NCR. Authorities urged residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary outdoor movement, particularly near trees, power lines, and unstable structures. The IMD also advised securing loose objects that could become hazardous due to high wind speeds, as safety concerns increased amid the unstable weather conditions.

Air travel operations were also disrupted, with at least 16 flights diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday evening due to poor visibility and turbulent weather. Airport authorities worked to manage the situation as delays and diversions affected passengers. The disruptions highlighted the intensity of the storm system that moved through the region, bringing dust storms, lightning, and rainfall within a short span of time.

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Wind speeds across various parts of Delhi reached significant levels, with Pragati Maidan recording gusts of up to 68 km/h, followed closely by Pusa at 65 km/h and Palam at 52 km/h. Other areas such as Lodi Road, IGNOU, and Pitampura also experienced strong winds ranging between 43 km/h and 48 km/h. These high-speed winds contributed to falling debris, uprooted trees, and temporary disruptions in traffic movement across several key areas.

Meteorological experts attributed the current weather pattern to a western disturbance that has triggered cyclonic circulation over South Haryana. According to weather analysts, the system is expected to intensify further over central Pakistan and adjoining regions of Punjab and Haryana, leading to continued rainfall and storm activity over the next two days. Experts also indicated that March 20 could witness even more intense weather conditions, including thunderstorms, pre-monsoon showers, and isolated hailstorms.

Meanwhile, similar weather patterns are being observed in other parts of the country, with thunderstorms forecast in several districts of West Bengal on March 20 and 21 due to strong moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal. Hailstorms are expected in districts such as Bankura, Purulia, and Paschim Bardhaman, as well as in parts of North Bengal, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. In southern India, light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in parts of Tamil Nadu and the Karaikal region over the next few days, with activity expected to gradually shift towards the Western Ghats.

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