IMD forecasts rain and strong winds in Delhi-NCR in next two hours, orange alert issued

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast rain accompanied by gusty winds up to 60 km/h over the next two hours in Delhi-NCR today.

An orange alert indicates that residents should be alert and prepared for potentially disruptive weather. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 39.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 1.3 notches below the seasonal average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The minimum temperature was registered at 29.0 degrees Celsius, 2.4 notches above normal. The relative humidity fluctuated between 63 and 49 per cent. The forecast also predicted thunderstorms with rain along with gusty winds at speeds of 50–60 kilometres per hour.

IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava said to news agency ANI, "There is a possibility of thunderstorm and gusty winds in the Northwest region of the country - Punjab and Haryana precisely. J&K may also experience the same. There is an orange alert in Uttar Pradesh, including a hailstorm. Particularly in Delhi, thunderstorm activity, gusty winds and light rainfall are expected today and light to moderate rainfall is expected tomorrow. The maximum temperature may stay between 36-39 degrees Celsius... Heatwave conditions may prevail in some places in western Rajasthan tomorrow and the day after. Southwest monsoon has further advanced, covering Odisha, parts of Eastern Bay of Bengal, Northeastern states."