IMD warns of severe thunderstorms, hailstorms and travel disruptions across India; dust storms and hail in Delhi predicted

India will experience an extreme scenario of scorching heatwaves coupled with thunderstorms, hailstorms, and heavy rains in the coming few days, with the IMD having issued various warnings for travellers across India. The changing weather patterns in places like Delhi and Rajasthan and Kerala and the northeast will affect all modes of transport including roads, railways, and aviation, during the peak holiday season in summer.According to the most recent All India Weather Forecast Bulletin published by the IMD on the night of May 28, certain parts of northwest India can be expected to experience severe thunderstorms along with destructive wind and hail storms, as well as dusty storms and rains until at least May 31. The meteorological organization has also noted the fact that weather conditions have become favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon across other areas of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during the next two to three days.For people travelling by road, visiting hill stations, wildlife reserves, or undertaking long train journeys, the upcoming few days might become quite troublesome in many regions. Among the states in need of weather alerts, there is Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. In particular, according to forecasts by IMD, thundersqualls with wind gusts of up to 80-100 kmph are possible in certain parts of Uttar Pradesh, whereas Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi will experience winds blowing up to 90 kmph. In addition, hailstorms are possible across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.Travellers who plan to go to hills in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been told to follow local instructions issued by concerned departments if there is any increased intensity in storm activity. The IMD has especially cautioned about the possibility of localized landslide and mudslide caused by heavy rains in some hilly areas. Travellers visiting hills in mountain states have been told to be alert and not undertake travel during storm hours.On the other hand, various regions in northern and central India are still grappling with heatwaves. A severe heatwave condition is predicted in West Rajasthan. Similarly, warnings about heatwave conditions persist in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha.Banda in Uttar Pradesh witnessed the highest maximum temperature in the country registering 47.5 degrees Celsius, emphasizing how extreme the prevailing heat wave scenario is. There have also been predictions of warm night conditions across Vidarbha region.But there is some respite coming from the IMD for parts of north India. Maximum temperatures are expected to dip by 6-8 degrees Celsius across northwest India due to increased thunderstorms from May 28 to May 30. There is also likely to be a steady decline in temperatures across central India over the next few days.While there will be preparation for storms and heat in the north, south and northeast regions are gearing up for extensive rainfall. Some of the regions which could see heavy rainfall at isolated places include Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya.It seems that the northeastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, will see continuous spells of rains and thundershowers until early June. People planning trips to these regions for their summer holidays may have some problems because of the wet weather conditions, slippery roads, and low visibility levels due to heavy showers.In southern India, the state of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands are likely to experience widespread rain activity for a few days. In addition, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will face heavy rainfall warnings. The weather conditions might be troublesome for people who wish to visit beaches, use ferry services, and move between cities in the coastal areas.As far as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are concerned, IMD has predicted widespread rain and squally weather until June 3. In view of rough sea waves and heavy winds, fishermen have been warned against venturing out into various areas of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, and Andaman Sea.