The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued both ‘Orange’ and ‘Yellow’ alerts across several states in the country. According to the weather prediction, heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected in several areas. These weather conditions are likely to prevail from May 3 to May 9, with forecasts of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and even dust storms affecting large parts of India — from the Himalayan region to southern peninsular states.
In the national capital region, weather conditions are expected to remain unstable through the week. According to the IMD, Delhi is likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall on May 3 and May 6, along with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-50 kmph. There is also a possibility of isolated hailstorm activity between May 3 and May 5, which may impact exposed areas. The changing weather is expected to bring temporary relief from heat, with maximum temperatures likely to drop by 3-5°C until May 5. However, this relief may be short-lived, as temperatures are forecast to rise again by a similar margin between May 6 and May 9.
Across northwest India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, widespread rainfall and snowfall in higher reaches are expected along with thunderstorms and gusty winds through the first week of May. Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh are likely to witness rainfall activity on May 3 and May 6, while strong thundersqualls with wind speeds up to 70 kmph are expected on May 4 and May 5. Similar storm activity is likely to impact parts of Uttar Pradesh between May 3 and May 7. Rajasthan is expected to face dust storm conditions on May 4, along with thunderstorms and strong winds on multiple days during the week.
The northeastern states are likely to witness some of the most intense weather activity during this period. The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning from May 3 to May 5, with heavy rainfall likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and other northeastern states. Gusty winds reaching up to 50 kmph are also expected, raising concerns of localized flooding and disruptions.
In eastern India, states including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha are expected to experience thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds throughout the week. The IMD has also warned of thundersqualls with wind speeds up to 70 kmph between May 3 and May 5, particularly in West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. Hailstorms are likely in parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, while heavy rainfall is expected in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the early part of the week.
Parts of central India, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha, are likely to witness isolated to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next five days. Thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching up to 70 kmph are expected in some areas between May 3 and May 5, along with isolated hailstorm activity on May 4.
Southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and coastal Andhra Pradesh, are expected to see frequent thunderstorms and gusty winds throughout the week. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, with thundersqualls likely over coastal Andhra on May 3 and May 4. At the same time, hot and humid conditions are expected to persist in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and coastal Andhra Pradesh during the initial days of the week.
