Uttarakhand is bracing for severe weather as the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for several districts due to expected heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The alert covers areas including Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar, where residents are warned to prepare for possible thunderstorms and hailstorms.
On Wednesday, May 7, the capital city of Dehradun experienced a shift in weather after a sunny morning, with light showers providing some much-needed relief from the heat. The maximum temperature recorded in Dehradun was 32.1 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was 17.9 degrees Celsius. According to Dr. Bikram Singh, Director of the Meteorological Center, the weather patterns in the state are changing, leading to varied conditions across different districts.
For Thursday, the forecast indicates that while Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar are likely to experience heavy rainfall, places like Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Almora, Nainital, and Champawat may see light to moderate showers. Notably, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are expected to remain dry.
In Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, and Almora, there is a significant possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. Wind speeds are anticipated to reach between 30 to 40 kilometers per hour in these regions. Furthermore, the weather in Dehradun is expected to be partly cloudy with a yellow alert issued due to the potential for thunderstorms and lightning. The maximum temperature in Dehradun on Thursday is forecasted to reach 34 degrees Celsius, with a minimum of 19 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the air quality index (AQI) in Dehradun was recorded at 58 on Wednesday, placing it in the satisfactory category, which reflects relatively clean air quality.
In Delhi, the weather also took a turn on Wednesday evening, May 7, 2025, as rain brought down the temperature. The maximum temperature recorded was 36.5 degrees Celsius, which is 2.8 degrees lower than the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature was 24.8 degrees Celsius, also slightly below average. Following the rain, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next two days, predicting light to moderate rain until May 10, with no significant heat expected until May 13.
The IMD had accurately predicted the change in weather, as rain began around 5:30 PM on Wednesday, reducing humidity levels from 70% to 47%. On May 8, temperatures in Delhi are expected to range between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius for the maximum and 24 to 26 degrees Celsius for the minimum. Winds may reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.
In Uttar Pradesh, the weather remains unpredictable. Lucknow experienced light rain on Thursday morning, May 8, 2025, providing some relief from the heat. However, the weather department has forecasted an increase in temperatures in the coming days, with a gradual rise expected due to the weakening of the western disturbance. Over the next four to five days, maximum temperatures could rise by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has issued a thunderstorm alert for 20 districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Bijnor, Amroha, and Muradabad.
In Madhya Pradesh, a series of storms, hailstorms, and rains were reported across several districts on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, due to the activation of multiple weather systems. This led to a decrease in temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees in several cities. Indore recorded a temperature drop of 3.8 degrees, reaching 28.6 degrees Celsius. Rainfall was reported in various districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Narmadapuram, Chhatarpur, Morena, and others.
No city in Madhya Pradesh recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with Narsinghpur recording the highest at 39.6 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature was noted in Pachmarhi at 16.4 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has issued a rain and hailstorm alert for May 8, 9, and 10, 2025, predicting significant temperature increases of up to 47 degrees Celsius by the end of the month.
As the weather fluctuates across the northern regions of India, residents are advised to stay informed about weather alerts and prepare for varying conditions. With the potential for thunderstorms, hailstorms, and rising temperatures, taking precautions remains essential.
