The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated thunderstorms with hail over central, eastern India and north India on March 31. Apart from this, scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, thunderstorm activity, lightning and gusty winds are likely over NE and adjoining East India during the week with isolated heavy falls over NE India today and tomorrow.
Apart from this, the IMD has predicted a possibility of isolated rainfall, thundershowers, lightning and gusty winds over South India this week with possibility of isolated heavy falls over Kerala till April 1. The Met office has also warned of two active western disturbances expected to hit northwest India this week, with peak activity expected on April 4.
The IMD has issued an orange warning for heavy rains in Maharashtra, Sikkim and parts of West Bengal. Apart from Rajasthan and Gujarat, the rest of India is on yellow alert today due to heavy rains. “Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Arunachal Pradesh on March 31 and April 1; Assam & Meghalaya” by April 1 and “Tripura on March 31,” the IMD said.
On 30 March, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh reported snowfall for the second consecutive day, while several north Indian states witnessed rains.
Light snowfall hit higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, including Dharamshala in Kangra district, on Monday. Under the influence of a fresh western disturbance, Keylong received 2 cm of snow. With another fresh western disturbance likely to hit northwest India from April 2, the Shimla Met Office has predicted downpour in the state till April 5.
A weather bulletin dated 30 March said: “Scattered to widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall with isolated thundershowers, lightning and gusty winds (40-50 km/h) over the Western Himalayan region on 31 March.
He added, “Isolated to scattered light to moderate showers with thundershowers, lightning and gusty winds reaching speed (30-50 kmph) likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan on March 31.”
Today’s weather in Delhi
Delhi may witness “generally cloudy skies” with very light rain or drizzle during the afternoon-evening, the IMD said. The maximum and minimum temperatures in the capital are likely to be in the normal range of around 32°C to 34°C and 18°C to 20°C respectively.
Delhi woke up to a “moderate” air quality index (AQI) reading of 188, registered at 7 am. Of the 44 air quality monitoring stations, 33 recorded “moderate” levels, while the AQI at 11 stations was in the “poor” category, according to the Sameer Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) application.
