Dust Storm, Thunder, Rain — Delhi Gets All Three on the Same Day

Step outside in the MP or Maharashtra today and sun hits you like a wall. Temperatures nudging 46 degrees. Dry, still, punishing. Now ask someone in Assam or Meghalaya — they're watching the sky go dark with storms rolling in, winds picking up speed.

India is witnessing two contrasting weather conditions over the past 24 hours — scorching heat gripping large parts of the country while thunderstorms and heavy rainfall impact others. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), north and central India remain under severe heatwave conditions, while northeast and parts of northwest India may experience rain, lightning, and strong winds.

The Heatwave: North and Central India

The IMD says maximum temperatures are in the range of 40–46 degrees Celsius over most parts of the country. The western Himalayan region, northeast Bihar, and northeast India are among the only regions where temperatures remain below 36 degrees Celsius.

In some areas, maximum temperatures could soar up to 46°C, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. The weather agency has issued thunderstorm and rainfall alerts in at least 13 states.

Maximum temperature departures have been markedly above normal — over 5.1°C — at several places over Himachal Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh, and East Madhya Pradesh. Appreciably above-normal temperatures have been recorded over Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Jammu-Kashmir, West Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Most places in Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi have also seen above-normal readings.

This kind of persistent heat departure isn't just uncomfortable — it stresses power grids, disrupts agriculture, and hits daily wage workers who have no option but to be outside.

Also Read: 92 of the World's 100 Hottest Cities Are in India This Week; Weather Update!

Delhi: Yellow Alert, Some Relief Coming

The Delhi-NCR region is expected to witness dust storms, thunderstorms, and rainfall through April 30, with a specific yellow alert issued for April 29.

For April 29 in Delhi, IMD predicts partly cloudy skies turning generally cloudy, with very light rain or drizzle expected along with thunderstorms and lightning. Winds will be strong, reaching 30–40 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h. The maximum temperature will be in the range of 39–41 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature will be around 25–27 degrees Celsius.

The capital had been reeling. The national capital had been witnessing extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 42.3 degrees Celsius in recent days.

A cyclonic circulation has developed over central Pakistan, northwest Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. This system is currently strong and is moving towards northeast India. Parts of Rajasthan and Haryana may receive rainfall as it moves through, with the system expected to remain active till April 30.

Also Read: Why India's Pre-Monsoon 2026 Is More Dangerous Than It Looks

Uttar Pradesh: Partial Relief, Still Mostly Hot

Most districts in Uttar Pradesh continue to face intense heat and heatwave conditions, with temperatures in several cities nearing 45 degrees Celsius. The weather department has warned of ongoing heatwave conditions in many parts of the state. However, some areas may receive light rainfall and gusty winds over the next 1 to 2 days, which could bring partial relief.

UP is a special concern because of the scale — 200 million people across districts where public health infrastructure and access to clean drinking water vary enormously. Heat stress deaths often go unrecorded in rural areas.

Northeast India: Rain, Thunder, and Heavy Spells

Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30–50 kmph are likely over Northeast India during the next 5 days. Thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, are expected over Assam and Meghalaya. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, with isolated very heavy rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh during April 30–May 2.

Also Read: Delhi Just Hit 40°C Again — And IMD Says This Is Just the Warm-Up Act

South India: Hot, Humid, Some Rain

Hot and humid weather conditions are very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Konkan, Kerala on April 28–29; coastal areas of Gujarat State and Tamil Nadu during April 27–29; and Odisha during April 27–May 1.

Isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning are likely over Telangana, North Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam during April 28–May 1. Heavy rainfall is also expected over South Interior Karnataka on April 30, and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal during April 30–May 2. Kerala and Mahe may see heavy rainfall during April 29–May 1.

Kerala's southwest coast often serves as an early indicator of the approaching monsoon. The kind of activity building there this late April is worth watching.

IMD's Public Advisory

The IMD has issued an advisory noting that while the temperature is moderate and heat is tolerable for most of the public, a moderate health concern remains for vulnerable groups — infants, elderly people, and those with chronic diseases. The IMD has asked people to avoid heat exposure, wear lightweight, light-colored, loose cotton clothes, cover their heads, and use a cloth, hat, or umbrella when stepping out.

Medical professionals consistently flag that heat stroke — which can be fatal — is most common between 11 AM and 4 PM in heatwave conditions. Outdoor workers, construction labour, and people without access to shade or water are at the highest risk.

Looking Ahead: Monsoon Forecast

IMD has already released the long-range forecast for the 2026 Southwest Monsoon season. Updated seasonal outlooks for the hot weather season covering April to June have also been issued. This suggests the department is in active early-warning mode, which is appropriate given the scale and intensity of the current heatwave.

Historically, a prolonged and intense pre-monsoon heatwave does not necessarily delay the monsoon's arrival. But it does mean higher water stress heading into May — a month when reservoirs, groundwater, and agricultural soil moisture often hit annual lows.

FAQs

• Q: Is there a heatwave warning today in Delhi? A: IMD has issued a yellow alert for April 29 in Delhi — expect partial cloud cover, light rain, thunderstorm, and winds of 30–40 km/h.
• Q: Which states face the worst heatwave on April 29? A: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Haryana are experiencing the most intense heat, with maximums up to 46°C.
• Q: Will monsoon come early in 2026? A: IMD has issued a long-range forecast for the 2026 Southwest Monsoon, but specific arrival dates haven't been confirmed as of April 29.
• Q: Is it safe to go out during heatwave conditions? A: IMD advises avoiding heat exposure between 11 AM–4 PM, wearing light cotton clothes, covering your head, and staying hydrated.