New Delhi: Intense rainfall and hailstorms are set to batter northwest India and Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, as an active western disturbance continues to sweep across the region, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weather agency issued a series of alerts for the next 24 to 48 hours, warning of light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning across eastern India. Isolated heavy rainfall is specifically forecast for Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Odisha on Wednesday.

Recent data reveals the severity of the system, with Odisha recording "very heavy" rainfall of up to 20 cm in the last 24 hours. Other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir, reported heavy falls reaching 11 cm. High-speed squally winds and thundersqualls, with gusts peaking at 80 kmph, have already been reported in Gangetic West Bengal and several other northern provinces.

The IMD warned that hailstorms remain a significant threat for Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh through Wednesday. In the northeast, Meghalaya is expected to experience hailstorms through Thursday.

Temperature and Delhi Forecast

While much of the country is seeing temperatures between 34°C and 40°C, the highest maximum of 42.2°C was recorded in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. However, temperatures in northwest, central, and eastern India are expected to remain below normal for the next three to four days before a gradual rise begins.

In the National Capital Region, Delhi is bracing for a cloudy Wednesday with light rain and wind gusts of up to 50 kmph during the night. Maximum temperatures in the capital are expected to hover between 27°C and 29°C.

Safety and Agriculture

Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors and unplug electronic appliances during lightning strikes. Farmers in affected regions are urged to use hail nets for fruit orchards and to harvest mature crops immediately to prevent damage from the elements.

Fishermen have been specifically warned to avoid the Gulf of Khambhat and the North Odisha coast due to turbulent conditions.