Delhi-NCR Rain, Hail Alert for Oct 29-30: IMD Warns of 70 kmph Gusts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rain over Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh on 29 and 30 October, with thundersqualls and isolated hailstorms over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab on the same two days. In its bulletin issued on Wednesday, 28 October, IMD said wind speed in the thundersqualls could reach 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph. India TV and Oneindia, both quoting the bulletin, link the spell to the system that has brought a red alert to coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Isolated Hail Over Delhi and Punjab on 29–30 October

For Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh, IMD expects isolated rain on 28 October, widespread rain on 29 and 30 October, and isolated rain again on 31 October. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely on 28 and 31 October. IMD said isolated hailstorm activity is likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab during 29–30 October. Punjab can expect isolated to scattered rain from 28 to 31 October.

Very Heavy Rain Possible in East Uttar Pradesh

East Uttar Pradesh may see isolated very heavy rain on 29 October and isolated heavy rain on 30 October, according to the bulletin as reported. Thunderstorms with gusts of 40–50 kmph, reaching 60 kmph, are likely over east and west Uttar Pradesh on 29 and 30 October. East Rajasthan can expect thunderstorms on the same days, with an isolated hailstorm on 29 October, and isolated to scattered rain is forecast over west Rajasthan on 29–30 October.

Also read Delhi Air Likely Very Poor Today; Dry Days, Showers Return Oct 24

What Commuters and Farmers Should Watch

Hail and squalls can disrupt road traffic, flights and standing crops such as late paddy and vegetables. The reports carry no official advisories or school closures so far. Delhi had a moderate air-quality reading of 180 on Wednesday morning, and rain on 29 and 30 October may bring it down; IMD has not said by how much. IMD will update the forecast in its daily bulletins; readers can follow the latest on our weather updates page, and our report on the extremely heavy rain warning for Odisha and south Chhattisgarh covers the other end of the system. Our note on Delhi’s air quality on 28 October has the pollution figures.

Source: IMD all-India weather bulletin. Also based on reporting by India TV News and Oneindia.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.