Unseasonal Rains, Hailstorm Dampen Holi Celebrations in Delhi | WATCH

New Delhi: Thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain swept across parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday evening, offering relief from rising temperatures ahead of Holi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert for similar weather conditions in parts of Rajasthan , Haryana , and Uttar Pradesh.  

Photos and videos shared on social media captured dramatic scenes of thunder, lightning, and rain over the Delhi-NCR skies. 

The change in weather brought down temperatures, providing respite from the increasing heat as winter transitions into summer across North India.  

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 34.4°C and a minimum of 18.6°C, according to IMD data. The stormy conditions are expected to persist in several northern states, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay cautious amid fluctuating weather patterns.

A Western Disturbance currently active over North India is also expected to bring light snowfall to Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh , and Uttarakhand, adding a chilly touch to the festive season.

IMD forecasts that the effects of the Western Disturbance will persist over North India until March 15, potentially bringing heavy rainfall. However, after March 16, temperatures are expected to rise again, with the onset of summer predicted in the following week.

In addition to the Western Disturbance, a cyclonic circulation originating from the Mediterranean Sea is influencing India's weather patterns. According to Skymet Weather, this cyclonic circulation, located 3.1 to 9.6 kilometers above sea level over western Iran and adjacent areas, is impacting the weather across the country.

Another cyclonic circulation is located over south-west Rajasthan and its neighboring regions. Additionally, a trough extending from the south-west Bay of Bengal, off the Tamil Nadu coast, is extending up to 1.5 kilometers above sea level, further shaping the weather patterns.