Severe thunderstorm batters Delhi-NCR; IMD issues red alert, warns of 100 kmph gusts
According to IMD, Palam in Delhi, as of midnight, recorded gusts of 76 kmph, followed by Narayana and Pragati Maidan (52 kmph), Safdarjung (44 kmph), Jafarpur (43 kmph) and Janakpuri (31 kmph).
According to IMD scientists, the recent spells are a result of "strong convective activity" fuelled by abundant moisture, intense daytime heating and the interaction of multiple weather systems moving across Northwest India.
Delhi-NCR was placed under a red alert late Friday, as a powerful thunderstorm system swept across North India, bringing strong winds, lightning, dust storms and widespread rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that dust storms and thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rainfall and lightning are very likely across the entire Delhi-NCR, with winds of 60-80 kmph gusting up to 100 kmph.
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The warning, issued shortly after 11 pm, covered Delhi and adjoining districts of Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan.
According to IMD, Palam in Delhi, as of midnight, recorded gusts of 76 kmph, followed by Narayana and Pragati Maidan (52 kmph), Safdarjung (44 kmph), Jafarpur (43 kmph) and Janakpuri (31 kmph).
The Capital had on Tuesday recorded the highest wind speed – 120 kmph – in 21 years.
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The storm system has extended to Uttar Pradesh – districts like Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras and Agra were placed under severe thunderstorm warnings.
A district-level nowcast issued by IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Lucknow forecast severe thunderstorms with winds of 70-80 kmph gusting to 100 kmph, accompanied by lightning and moderate to intense spells of rain over parts of Agra, Hathras, Mathura, Aligarh, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Ghaziabad and Baghpat.
The IMD advised residents to remain indoors, avoid sheltering under trees, stay away from electric poles and unsecured structures, and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
The latest storm comes amid an unusually active pre-monsoon season marked by repeated episodes of intense heat, dust storms, thunderstorms and sharp temperature fluctuations across Northwestern India.
According to IMD scientists, the recent spells are a result of “strong convective activity” fuelled by abundant moisture, intense daytime heating and the interaction of multiple weather systems moving across Northwest India.
Thunderstorms during this pre-monsoon period are not uncommon, but the combination of widespread coverage and winds approaching 100 kmph significantly increases the risk of falling trees, damage to temporary structures, power disruptions and traffic disruptions.
The thunderstorm activity comes just a day after Delhi witnessed a dramatic fall in temperatures following a squall line that travelled from Punjab through Haryana into the National Capital Region. That event brought rainfall and cooler conditions, ending a prolonged spell of scorching heat.
According to IMD scientists, the recent spells are a result of "strong convective activity" fuelled by abundant moisture, intense daytime heating and the interaction of multiple weather systems moving across Northwest India. 
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