IMD issues yellow alert for rain, thunderstorm this week in NCR

Gurgaon: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning across parts of Haryana over the next few days, under the impact of an approaching western disturbance.

The weather agency flagged unstable weather conditions between Thursday and Monday, with winds gusting up to 40km/hour, intensifying to 50–60km/hour on some days. The activity is expected to remain isolated initially, turn scattered around peak days, and then taper off.

After a brief spell of rain brought on by a western disturbance last week, temperatures had once again begun to climb, with the city recording the highest maximum temperature in the state at 35 degrees Celsius -- 4.7 degrees above normal -- on Wednesday. The minimum temperature settled at 16.8 degrees Celsius.

The average maximum rose by around 1.7 degrees Celsius compared to the previous day, indicating a steady build-up of heat across the state.

Independent weather forecaster Navdeep Dahiya said the weather will begin to change in north India from March 26, bringing isolated rain initially and more widespread activity thereafter.

“A series of western disturbances is likely till mid-April. On March 27, the spread of rain will increase with scattered moderate rain and thundershowers likely across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Chandigarh and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Temperatures will dip again, and a stronger system around Sunday–Monday could bring a more widespread spell of rain and storms,” he said in a tweet, adding that standing wheat crops could be at risk and farmers should remain vigilant.

Officials said the weather pattern reflects a transition phase, where rising heat combines with western disturbances to trigger short-duration storm activity. No significant rainfall has been recorded so far, and the expected showers are likely to be brief.

The advisory urges caution during thunderstorm activity, particularly due to lightning and strong winds, even as daytime temperatures continue to inch upwards.