Fresh thunderstorms hit Delhi, may hit north, eastern regions till Friday
16 May 2018
Days after a thunderstorm and dust storms hit Delhi-NCR, a powerful dust storm accompanied with rain and squall hit Delhi-NCR on Wednesday morning.
The Indian Meteorological Department on Wednesday forecast more thunderstorms and squalls for the north and northwest regions of the country till Friday.
Over the past week, thunderstorms and dust storms have wreaked havoc across northern and eastern parts of the country, with the number of casualties estimated between 80 and 100 across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi-NCR region .
The unusual weather phenomenon is due to a western disturbance that originates in the Mediterranean Sea and brings rainfall to northwestern India. Western disturbance is a normal phenomenon that can be observed over the western Himalayas and north Indian plains from October to March, though its occurrence in April-May is unusual, IMD scientists say.
The met department had on Tuesday predicted thunderstorms and gusty winds for the day in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and east Uttar Pradesh.
It also said parts of Rajasthan could experience dust storms and isolated areas of West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and most of northeast India can also expect thunderstorms and strong winds.