Gurgaon: Light to moderate spells of rain accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning, lashed the city on Wednesday evening prompting India Meteorological Department to issue yellow and orange alerts for similar weather, including hailstorms, in parts of Haryana over next two days.The winds picked up pace around 6.30pm at 40kmph, followed by steady rain which brought down the mercury. The city recorded a thermometer high of 31.5 degrees Celsius and the minimum settled at 17.4 degrees Celsius — both of which were normal for this time of the year.The city recorded 2mm of rainfall till 5.30pm, Hisar 1.9mm, Narnaul 4mm, and Bhiwani 0.5mm.The change in weather is down to an active western disturbance impacting north India, with high moisture and temperature levels leading to the formation of convective clouds.According to IMD’s Chandigarh centre, the region is likely to record thunderstorm activity with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, lightning and hail at isolated places on March 19 and 20. Gurgaon and surrounding districts are among the areas under heightened alert, with unstable conditions expected to persist.Delhi’s Palam recorded a wind speed of around 35 kmph towards evening, gusting up to around 50 kmph at 7pm.Independent weather forecaster Navdeep Dahiya said in a tweet, “An active western disturbance will impact north India on March 19 and 20, bringing moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers across Delhi-NCR, Haryana and adjoining states. Temperatures will drop significantly, with day temperatures likely in the 18–23°C range.” IMD forecast indicates maximum temperatures will likely remain between 23 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may range from 14 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius.IMD defines a yellow alert as a watch situation, while an orange alert calls for preparedness due to a higher likelihood of impact. Officials have advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid open areas due to lightning risk, and secure loose objects as winds may intensify over the next 48 hours.At least 22 flights that were to land at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were diverted, and over 300 were delayed, according to FlightRadar24, a live tracking website.Delhi’s base station, Safdarjung, recorded a maximum temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, while minimum was recorded at 18 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal.IMD said Delhi’s maximum will likely be normal to below normal during the next seven days.“A spell of very light rain/drizzle accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds speed 20-30 kmph gusting to 40 kmph in the forenoon. One or two spells of very light/light rain accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph in the afternoon to night on March 19, 2026. A spell of very light/light rain accompanied with thunderstorm lightning and strong surface winds 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely in the forenoon. Another spell of very light/light rain accompanied… and gusty winds 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph in the afternoon/evening on March 20, 2026,” IMD said in its forecast for the capital.
