New Delhi: After a week of record-breaking temperatures that saw the mercury soar to 35°C in the capital, the highest in early March in over 50 years, a significant weather shift is sweeping across India. Driven by a powerful Western Disturbance, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of alerts for rain, hailstorms, and snowfall, promising much-needed relief from the premature summer heat.

North India: Yellow alerts and dust storms

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to overcast skies and scattered thundershowers this Sunday morning. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, predicting light rain and potential dust storms throughout the day.

Temperature drop: Maximum temperatures in Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to slide to a pleasant 28°C, a sharp decline from the mid-30s recorded earlier this week.

Haryana & Punjab: An orange alert has been sounded for several districts in Haryana, including Ambala and Karnal. Residents should brace for "thundersqualls" with wind speeds reaching 40–50 km/h and isolated hailstorms.

Snowfall in the Himalayas

The higher reaches of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are transitioning back to winter-like conditions.

Snow alert: Areas above 3,500 meters, including Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Lahaul-Spiti, are expected to receive moderate snowfall between March 15 and 16.

Travel Advisory: Thunderstorm and lightning warnings have been issued for tourist hotspots like Shimla, Manali, and Dehradun, where rain is likely to dampen outdoor plans.

Regional forecast: From Kerala to Bihar

The weather shift is not limited to the North. From the southern tip of Kerala to the plains of Bihar, several states are on high alert for unstable weather.

Kerala: Light rains across the coast

According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), light to moderate rains are predicted for most districts.

15th March- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod

16th March- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod

Bihar: 25 districts on alert

Bihar is seeing a dramatic shift as clouds settle over the state. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) in nearly 25 districts, including:

Seemanchal & North Bihar: Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, Supaul, Katihar, West & East Champaran, Sitamarhi, and Madhubani.

Central & South Bihar: Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Bhagalpur.

Telangana & Jharkhand: Hail and squalls

Telangana: Hyderabad is bracing for a week-long spell of rain. Thunderstorms with hail and lightning are expected in districts like Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Rangareddy. Temperatures are likely to stay below 36°C.

Jharkhand: An orange warning has been issued for 17 districts. Squalls with wind speeds potentially reaching 70 km/h are possible in central and eastern parts, including Ranchi and Jamshedpur.

Impact on agriculture

While city dwellers welcome the cool breeze, farmers in the "wheat bowl" states of Punjab and Haryana are on high alert. The combination of hail and strong winds poses a risk to standing Rabi crops. Agricultural experts advise farmers to postpone irrigation and chemical sprays until the weather stabilises.

With gusty winds and lightning predicted, it is advised to stay indoors during thundershowers and avoid taking shelter under trees or temporary structures.