The Delhi weather alert for Friday includes the possibility of thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong winds, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) also forecasting continued rainfall across Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh. The warning comes as several parts of India prepare for heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorms at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab. Thundersqualls, which can bring strong winds, are also expected over the region. Rainfall activity is likely to continue across Delhi and adjoining areas, although the supplied forecast does not specify expected rainfall totals for the national capital.
The weather system has prompted a broader alert across north India. East Uttar Pradesh is likely to receive heavy rain, while parts of Uttar Pradesh may experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds. Uttarakhand is expected to see rain and thunderstorms, with isolated areas likely to receive heavy snowfall. Himachal Pradesh may witness thunderstorms and lightning, while Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and adjoining areas may also receive rainfall.
Punjab is under a warning for thunderstorms, hailstorms and thundersqualls. East Rajasthan may see thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, while stormy conditions are also expected in parts of west Rajasthan. The conditions could affect road travel, open-air work and outdoor movement across the wider region, particularly during periods of lightning and strong winds.
The IMD has also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Bihar on Friday. Heavy rain is likely over east Uttar Pradesh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected in parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and the northeastern states.
In central and western India, rainfall is likely over parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Konkan and Goa. Central Maharashtra may receive thunderstorms and gusty winds, while Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch could see rain over the coming days. In southern India, rainfall is expected across parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Karnataka.
The forecast follows the weakening of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab after it crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Thursday. According to the report, the system is expected to weaken further as it moves north-northwestwards, though rainfall may continue over parts of eastern and central India as its remnants move inland.
A fresh low-pressure area has also formed over the South Andaman Sea. The IMD has indicated that the system could intensify into a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal as it moves west-northwestwards.
Rainfall activity is expected to continue across parts of eastern, central, northeastern and southern India into early November. The IMD has forecast heavy rain over parts of Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim, with Odisha likely to see heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. Kerala and Mahe may receive heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, while Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to see heavy rainfall on Tuesday.
