Light rain, thunderstorms bring relief to parts of north India from recent heat

Parts of northern India witnessed light rain and thunderstorms over the past 24 hours, providing relief from rising temperatures in the plains as a western disturbance influenced weather conditions across the region.

Several areas of Delhi recorded drizzle on Sunday morning. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) , around 8 mm of rainfall was recorded in the city till 8.30 am. Safdarjung and Lodhi Road recorded 0.8 mm rainfall each, while Palam received 0.4 mm. Ayanagar reported 2.6 mm rainfall and Pitampura 3.5 mm, the highest among the capital’s weather stations.

Meteorologists said the rainfall was triggered by a western disturbance approaching the western Himalayas, which induced cyclonic circulation over Pakistan and adjoining Punjab–Haryana . Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather said the showers are likely to continue intermittently for another day and mark the season’s first pre-monsoon rain , arriving about 10 days earlier than usual.

Neighbouring Uttar Pradesh also received light rainfall, leading to a drop in temperatures in several districts. The Meteorological Centre in Lucknow said the system will remain active till March 16, after which weather conditions may turn dry on March 17 and 18. Another active western disturbance is likely from March 19, bringing a fresh spell of rainfall across the state till March 21. The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph in parts of western Uttar Pradesh, with isolated hailstorms possible in eastern districts.

Rajasthan too recorded brief light showers, though largely dry conditions are expected on March 16 and 17. A stronger western disturbance between March 18 and 21 may bring thunderstorms and rain, particularly across the Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions.

In the Himalayan region, fresh snowfall in Gulmarg and higher reaches of Kashmir forced the temporary closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway at Zojila Pass . Himachal Pradesh also reported snowfall in higher areas and rain in several districts, with the weather department forecasting more rain and snow in the western Himalayan region till March 21 .