The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar, predicting thunderstorm, lightning, gusty winds and hail on May 12. The Western Disturbance is responsible for the change in weather in North West India. Meanwhile, Rajasthan and Gujarat continue to struggle with heat conditions and are on orange alert.
The Meteorological Office in its latest press releases said: “Isolated thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (40-60 km/h) likely over NW India” till May 15, 2026.” Besides, isolated hail activity is likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh on May 12 and Uttarakhand on May 3.
In areas where thunderstorm and hail warnings are in effect, residents should follow the safety guidelines below to avoid unforeseen tragedies:
• Stay indoors during thunderstorms and hail
• Avoid sheltering under trees or near power poles
• Unplug electrical appliances during lightning
• Secure loose outdoor items to prevent wind damage
• Avoid unnecessary travel during intense weather conditions
• Farmers are advised to move harvested crops to safe places
The IMD has issued an orange alert for several northern states due to the possibility of thunderstorms and hailstorms on May 12. Meanwhile, Rajasthan and Gujarat continue to face heatwave conditions.
Heat wave warning
“Heat conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Madhya Pradesh” during the next 3-4 days, the IMD added.
A gradual increase in maximum temperatures is likely in the following areas:
- NW India on 12th May by 2-4°C and then 4-5°C by 17th May.
- Central India by May 15 by 2-4°C.
- In Maharashtra till May 15 at 2-4°C.
- In East India during the next 5 days by 2-4°C.
Warning of warm overnight conditions in isolated pockets over Rajasthan till May 15, the Met Office noted: “Heat waves are likely to prevail over isolated pockets over West Rajasthan, Gujarat during 12-17; East Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh during 12-15; During 12-14 12-13, Saurashtra & Kutch, Gujarat Region during May 12-14.”
Moving to the weather forecast for Northeast India, the IMD predicted, “Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Assam and Meghalaya during May 13-17, Arunachal Pradesh on May 17 with isolated heavy rainfall over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during May 15-17-16.”
Residents of sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim can expect isolated heavy rainfall till May 14. Similar weather conditions are likely in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 14 and 16.
As far as Central India is concerned, the Meteorological Department has suggested a possibility of isolated light to moderate rainfall with thundershowers, gusty winds with lightning (speed reaching 30-50 kmph) in Chhattisgarh during the next 3 days.
