Delhi braces for storms as heatwave peaks, IMD signals didweek relief

The capital endures another punishing day. Then, a shift in weather patterns promises relief. As a result, residents in Delhi may soon see a break from the ongoing heatwave.

On Monday, temperatures climb sharply across the city. The maximum touches 42.1°C, while forecasts place the day’s peak between 43°C and 45°C. The India Meteorological Department keeps a yellow alert in place for the first half of the day. Streets wear a deserted look in the afternoon, and people avoid outdoor movement. Vendors cover stalls with cloth sheets, while commuters pause under flyovers to escape the harsh sun.

weather experts point to a gradual transition. From Tuesday, cloud cover begins to build. The IMD expects overcast skies and intermittent rain. As clouds gather, daytime temperatures may ease to 40–42°C on Tuesday. Then, a further dip to 39–41°C may follow on Wednesday. By Thursday, the mercury could settle close to 37°C, offering notable relief.

Sorm activity takes centre stage. The IMD forecasts thunderstorms with rain on April 28 and 29. These systems may bring gusty winds and short bursts of rainfall. On the ground, such changes often cool roads quickly, though they also disrupt traffic during peak hours.

At the same time, independent weather observer Navdeep Dahiya outlines a similar trend. He notes that heatwave conditions will hold through Monday. However, he expects a visible drop in temperatures from Tuesday evening, especially in rain-hit pockets. He warns of strong dust storms with wind speeds between 40 and 80 km/h. These gusts may precede brief spells of moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers.

According to his assessment, storm spells may last 15 to 45 minutes. Some areas may also receive light drizzle for up to three hours after a storm passes. Thunder and lightning may accompany these events, though hail risk remains low and isolated.

Beyond Delhi, broader weather activity gathers pace. The IMD predicts widespread rainfall over parts of northeast and eastern India over the next three days. It also expects scattered rain across north India and southern peninsular regions. Dahiya adds that initial storm coverage in Delhi-NCR may range between 30% and 50%, before expanding across several states between April 28 and 30.

Heatwave conditions continue to grip other regions. The IMD flags persistent high temperatures in parts of northwest and central India. States such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat may still face intense heat in isolated pockets.

The coming days present a mixed picture. While storms promise relief for Delhi, large parts of the country must still contend with extreme heat. For now, residents await the first spell of rain that could finally cool the city after days of relentless sun.