The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns over the rapidly changing climate conditions across several parts of India.
On Monday, April 21, 2025, the department issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across multiple states, signalling a shift in atmospheric behaviour that experts attribute to both seasonal transitions and deeper environmental imbalances. The states flagged under the yellow warning include Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir. Meteorological officials confirmed that unstable upper air circulation patterns coupled with rising moisture levels have intensified thunderstorm activity in these regions.
At the same time, heatwave warnings have been sounded for isolated pockets of Vidarbha in Maharashtra. The yellow alert for the region indicates temperature extremes capable of adversely impacting health, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those engaged in outdoor labour. Across coastal regions like Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, high humidity combined with elevated daytime temperatures is expected to cause heat stress conditions, even in the absence of formal heatwave criteria. Environmental specialists note that such extremes reflect long-standing urbanisation pressures, where concrete-dominated landscapes and reduced tree cover aggravate thermal discomfort for city dwellers.
In the national capital, Delhi, Monday’s forecast offered slight respite. No heatwave-like condition has been predicted, with the IMD indicating that skies will remain partly cloudy through the evening. Surface wind speeds are projected to hover between 10 and 20 kmph, bringing moderate relief from peak daytime temperatures, which are expected to touch 39 to 41 degrees Celsius. Night temperatures may settle around 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Despite the immediate weather warnings, experts stress the need for a structural shift in climate preparedness strategies. According to climate researchers, frequent thunderstorm alerts combined with concurrent heatwave conditions in other regions demonstrate the growing intensity and unpredictability of weather patterns in India.
“The intersection of sudden rainfall events with scorching temperatures in neighbouring zones is no longer a rare occurrence. It’s a worrying sign of erratic climate dynamics that cities and towns must prepare for more robustly,” said a senior environmental researcher working on regional climate resilience frameworks. Civic bodies in affected states have been urged to ensure that urban infrastructure, especially in flood-prone districts, is ready to manage sudden downpours. At the same time, health departments are being advised to disseminate public advisories on hydration, shade access, and early symptoms of heat-related illness.
As climate-linked risks become more frequent, experts and citizen groups alike are calling for cities to adopt nature-based solutions such as urban foresting, sustainable drainage systems, and rooftop greening to moderate both heat and flood risks. Reducing carbon emissions, decentralising energy sources, and prioritising green infrastructure in vulnerable areas are also key recommendations being raised at both policy and grassroots levels. With India’s pre-monsoon phase now underway, the evolving weather scenario underscores the critical importance of cross-sectoral coordination—between meteorological departments, civic agencies, health institutions, and urban planning bodies. The IMD has advised state governments to remain on high alert and ensure disaster management protocols are activated wherever necessary.
While thunderstorms can provide temporary relief from soaring temperatures, sudden lightning and strong winds also pose risks to human safety, agriculture, and power infrastructure. The IMD’s alert acts as both a short-term warning and a long-term reminder of the urgent need to build climate-adaptive cities that prioritise both safety and sustainability.
Also Read: https://urbanacres.in/new-delhi-faces-higher-heat-index-with-rising-humidity/
