Rain, thunderstorms likely across Gurgaon till March 20

Gurgaon: India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Sunday, with the city likely to witness light rain and thunderstorms as a western disturbance influences weather conditions across Haryana.On Saturday, the day remained partly cloudy. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 31.5 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature, however, could not be recorded at the Gurgaon KVK station. At NorthCap University weather station, the minimum temperature was recorded at 17.5 degrees Celsius, down from 20.7 degrees a day earlier. The maximum temperature there rose by 1.3 degrees to settle at 33.2 degrees CelsiusMeanwhile, rainfall activity is likely to begin at isolated places on March 15 and continue until March 20. The intensity and spatial spread are expected to increase between March 18 and March 20."Under the influence of the western disturbance, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is expected at isolated places across Haryana from late Saturday night onwards," the weather department said.Isolated places in places including Chandigarh, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Sonipat, Charkhi Dadri, Jhajjar, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Palwal and Rewari are likely to witness light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph on Sunday, IMD said.Districts such as Kurukshetra, Ambala, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat and Jind may experience thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds reaching 40 to 50kmph and hail at a few places.The rainfall and cloud cover will help keep temperatures in check. The weather department said the maximum temperature is likely to drop by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius over the next five days.Another western disturbance is also likely to affect northwest India from the night of March 17, which may prolong the spell of unstable weather. The spell may be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50kmph, along with hail at isolated places on Sunday and Monday. After March 16, thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds of 30 to 40kmph are likely to continue across parts of the state.