IMD Issues Severe Thunderstorm Alert: Lightning, hailstorm likely across multiple states, check details

IMD Weather News:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an alert for severe thunderstorms accompanied by cloud-to-ground lightning and hailstorm activity across several parts of the country. Residents in the affected areas have been urged to take safety precautions as the weather system continues to move eastward.

According to IMD’s latest post on X, the thunderstorm belt is currently active from East Rajasthan and stretching across West and East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and is now approaching Gangetic West Bengal. Hailstorm activity is also likely across this entire stretch.

Severe thunderstorms with dangerous cloud to ground lightning activity happening starting from East Rajasthan to West MP, East MP, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and system approaching towards Gangetic West Bengal. Hailstorms also likely throughout the whole… pic.twitter.com/a5IvARRiic

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 3, 2025

In addition, the IMD has warned of thunderstorms at isolated places in Assam & Meghalaya, South Interior Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Uttarakhand. Strong winds with speeds reaching up to 50-60 kmph may accompany these thunderstorms.

Hail, strong winds and rain forecast

The department has also flagged the likelihood of hailstorms at isolated places in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.

Wind gusts of 40-50 kmph are expected in parts of Himachal Pradesh and the Sub-Himalayan regions of West Bengal and Sikkim. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is predicted at isolated places in Odisha and south interior Karnataka.

The Vidarbha region in Maharashtra is also under alert. The IMD Nagpur centre has warned of thunderstorms with hail and lightning, gusty winds (up to 50 kmph), and light rainfall in Gondia, Bhandara, Nagpur, and Wardha districts. A similar advisory was issued for Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim, and Chandrapur, where wind speeds may reach up to 40 kmph.

Record rainfall in Delhi

Delhi, too, witnessed unseasonal heavy rain on Friday, recording 78 mm of rainfall till 8:30 am—marking the second-highest 24-hour rainfall for May since 1901. The Lodhi Road area saw the highest volume at 78 mm, followed closely by Safdarjung Airport at 77 mm.

IMD has advised people, especially in vulnerable areas, to avoid open spaces during lightning and remain indoors during intense weather activity.