IMD predicts rainfall in North India, maximum temp to fall by 4-5 degrees

New Delhi: People of Delhi might get some relief from the blistering heatwave, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted rainfall along with thunderstorms due to western disturbance on Wednesday.

The IMD said a western disturbance active over the western Himalayan region will bring rain, hailstorm, and gusty winds in the northwestern plains on Wednesday, As a result, the maximum temperature will drop by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius by Thursday.

In the last three days, the heat wave-battered parts of Delhi and the entire north India, with temperatures touching 46 degrees Celcius at some locations.

Officials said a fresh western disturbance could bring relief from the hot weather conditions from May 24 with light rain and cloudy weather expected for three to four days.

On Tuesday the Safdarjung Observatory, which serves as Delhi's main weather station, registered a temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, against 43.7 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 29.8 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, against 27.3 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

The mercury soared to 46.2 degrees Celsius at Najafgarh, making it the hottest place in the capital. Narela (45.3 degrees Celsius), Pitampura (45.8 degrees Celsius) and Pusa (45.8 degrees Celsius) also recorded heatwave conditions.

Apart from the national capital, some respite from the heat is also expected in other parts of northern India. However, a heat wave alert was issued for Jharkhand on May 23.

An active western disturbance is approaching the western Himalayan region from May 23 onwards, leading to widespread precipitation in the state for the next three to four days, as per the weather department.

In its weather bulletin, IMD said the maximum temperatures are likely to be 4-6°C very likely over Northwest India during the next 3 days, and no significant change thereafter.

The weather agency said there is the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh on 23rd & 24th May; Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Uttarakhand, Punjab, south Haryana on 24th May.

"There are chances of hail storm also in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, areas of Punjab connected with Himachal Pradesh and some areas of North Rajasthan during this period. There will be thunderstorms and lightning in Delhi NCR as well on May 24 and 25" it said.

The IMD however added that there is no significant change in maximum temperature very likely over Central & West India during the next 48 hours and fall by 2-4°C thereafter.

IMD has also predicted that squally winds with the speed of 50-60 kmph may occur in pockets of West Bengal and Sikkim on May 23 and 24.

On the southwest monsoon, the IMD said conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands during the next 2 days. (UNI)