Residents receive ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ on phones as IMD warns of rain, thunderstorms in UP

NEW DELHI: Several residents across Delhi-NCR and parts of western Uttar Pradesh were startled on Saturday after receiving an “Extremely Severe Alert” notification on their mobile phones, accompanied by a loud warning buzzer.The alert warned of severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, heavy rainfall and hailstorms, likely to affect several districts over the next few hours.The message stated: “Severe Thunderstorm (wind speed 60–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph) with Lightning and Moderate to Intense Spell of Rain and Hail is very likely to occur at a few places over Aligarh, Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Mathura and Meerut in the next three hours.”The emergency notification triggered concern among many residents, with several taking to social media to share screenshots of the alert and express surprise over the loud alarm tone that accompanied the message.The alert was part of the government's cell broadcast warning system, designed to rapidly disseminate emergency weather information to people located in potentially affected areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, strong winds and spells of moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors during severe weather, avoid taking shelter under trees, and stay away from electric poles and waterlogged areas.