New Delhi: A powerful dust storm swept across several parts of Rajasthan on Saturday, even as an active western disturbance triggered widespread rain across northern India, offering relief from an intense heatwave that had gripped the region in recent days.

In Rajasthan, districts including Churu, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Alwar and Sikar were affected by the storm. Jaipur also experienced strong winds followed by rainfall. Dense clouds of dust and sand engulfed towns, sharply reducing visibility and forcing motorists to drive with headlights on during daytime hours.

Officials reported wind speeds reaching around 56 kmph in parts of Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar. While the storm disrupted normal life, the subsequent rain brought much-needed respite from extreme heat conditions in several areas.

Residents described near-dark conditions during the afternoon, with one Churu resident noting that the sky turned unusually dark around 2 pm, resembling nightfall and severely disrupting daily activities.

A milder dust storm was also reported in parts of Delhi on Saturday, where red and orange alerts were issued. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast thunderstorms, lightning, hail and rain, with wind speeds expected to reach 70–90 kmph and gusting up to 100 kmph in some areas.

According to the IMD, the weather system is being driven by an active western disturbance over north-west India, along with an associated cyclonic circulation that has increased moisture and atmospheric instability across the region.

Rainfall also lashed several parts of Punjab and Haryana, bringing temperatures down significantly. In Punjab, showers were reported from cities including Mohali, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Pathankot, where hail was also recorded. Haryana districts such as Gurugram, Rohtak, Sonipat and Karnal also received rain.

Chandigarh recorded 18.2 mm of rainfall, with temperatures dropping sharply to 25.3°C, nearly 14 degrees below seasonal averages. Most areas across Punjab and Haryana saw maximum temperatures fall 8–10°C below normal.

Uttar Pradesh also experienced relief from the heat, with rainfall recorded in several districts including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Bahraich. Although Lucknow remained dry, its maximum temperature fell to 34°C, well below normal levels. Moradabad, however, remained the hottest location in the state at 38.5°C, still significantly lower than recent highs.

In Himachal Pradesh, light to moderate rain and hailstorms were reported in several districts, prompting a yellow weather warning. Shimla and surrounding areas were hit by a hailstorm and heavy rain, while other regions such as Chopal and Kotkhai also witnessed similar conditions.

The IMD has warned of continued unstable weather across most parts of Himachal Pradesh until June 5, with the exception of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. Gusty winds, thunderstorms, lightning and hail are likely in several districts over the coming days.

Rainfall data showed Pandoh in Mandi district receiving the highest precipitation at 37.4 mm, with multiple other locations also recording significant showers. Temperatures across the state dropped notably, with Una remaining the hottest at 28.8°C, around 11 degrees lower than the previous day.