IMD issues light rain and thunderstorms alert for Delhi-NCR over next 2 hours

NEW DELHI: Delhi-NCR is likely to witness light rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 30-50 kmph over the next two hours, according to a warning issued by the Regional Weather Forecast Centre in Delhi on Monday.The weather activity expected to affect several districts in Haryana, including Fatehabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jind and Bhiwani, along with nearby areas. Parts of western Uttar Pradesh such as Baraut, Baghpat and Khekra, and eastern Rajasthan including Bhadra, Pilani and Khairthal, are also likely to witness similar conditions.Earlier in the day, several parts of Delhi witnessed rain and hailstorms, bringing temporary relief from the intense heat. Areas in Dwarka reported hailstorms as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already warned of thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of 40-60 kmph across parts of northwest India. Officials said similar weather conditions are likely to continue on May 10 and 11.The latest spell of rain comes days after showers were recorded in the national capital last Saturday, signalling changing weather patterns in the region.In its monthly outlook released on Friday, the IMD said India is likely to receive above-normal rainfall in May, although temperatures may vary across regions."During May 2026, maximum temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal across many parts of the country," the IMD said in a press release issued by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.However, it added that "above-normal temperatures are likely in many parts of southern peninsular India, some parts of the northeast, and northwest India."The weather agency also said minimum temperatures are expected to remain above normal across large parts of the country, though some areas in northwest, central and adjoining peninsular India may record normal to below-normal night temperatures.The IMD noted that larger climate patterns are shifting towards a warmer phase. "ENSO-neutral conditions are evolving towards El Nino conditions over the equatorial Pacific," it said, adding that weather models suggest El Nino conditions may develop during the upcoming southwest monsoon season. The agency further said neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions currently prevail, but "positive IOD conditions are likely to develop towards the end of the monsoon season."