Overview
- An active western disturbance produced thunderstorms, heavy rain and very strong gusts across northwest and parts of central and eastern India on Saturday, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures in Delhi and nearby regions.
- Local authorities reported storm-driven collapses that killed children and others in Haryana and additional fatalities in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal while heavy rain briefly suspended flight operations at Kolkata airport.
- The India Meteorological Department issued red, orange and yellow alerts for Delhi‑NCR and neighbouring states and warned of thundersqualls with winds of 60–80 km/h gusting higher and isolated hail and heavy downpours.
- Rain and cloud cover pushed Delhi’s air quality from poor to moderate‑satisfactory and prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management to lift Stage‑I curbs under the GRAP framework, though temperatures are expected to rebound next week.
- The IMD said the southwest monsoon has advanced into nearby seas and parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands but forecast seasonal rainfall of about 90% of normal for the Monsoon Core Zone because of likely El Niño, raising short‑ and medium‑term risks for water and agriculture.