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If there was ever a week that illustrated just how vast and climatically diverse India truly is, this is it. While parts of Rajasthan are baking under temperatures that crossed 44 degrees Celsius, hill stations in Uttarakhand are bracing for hailstorms and road blockades. The northeast is drenched. The south is brewing its pre-monsoon fury. And Delhi is enjoying a brief window of pleasant weather before a yellow alert kicks in from May 11.
The India Meteorological Department has issued its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin covering conditions through May 14 — and the picture it paints is one of sharp contrasts and rapidly shifting conditions across nearly every region of the country.
Delhi-NCR: Enjoy the Next Two Days While They Last
For residents of the capital, May 9 and 10 offer something of a reprieve — clear skies, a light breeze and temperatures settling around the 37 degree Celsius mark. After the punishing heat of April, that counts as comfortable.
The shift arrives from May 11. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi-NCR on May 11 and 12, warning of thunderstorm activity accompanied by gusty winds and rainfall. Maximum temperatures during this period are expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius while minimums stay near 28 degrees. A new western disturbance is set to reach the region around this time, triggering the change in conditions that residents have been both dreading and, in some ways, welcoming.
North India: From Punjab to Kashmir, Storms Are Coming
The western disturbance making its way toward the region will not limit itself to Delhi. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana are all expected to see a significant weather shift from May 11 onward.
The IMD has issued both yellow and orange warnings across these states, valid through May 14. Winds in these areas could reach 50 kilometres per hour during thunderstorm activity. For the higher reaches — particularly Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir — thundersqualls with gusts touching 70 kilometres per hour have been forecast, along with isolated hailstorms.
For anyone planning a trip to the hills this week, the practical implications are significant. Slippery mountain roads, potential route blockades, and travel delays are all realistic possibilities. The IMD's advice is to monitor conditions closely before setting out on any Himalayan routes between May 11 and 14.
Rajasthan: The Hottest Corner of the Country Right Now
While most of India prepares for rain and storms, western Rajasthan is fighting a different battle entirely. Phalodi recorded a peak temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius and Barmer followed at 44.6 degrees — the highest temperatures logged in the country on May 8. Heatwave conditions are forecast to continue in Saurashtra, Kutch, and western Rajasthan, with new heatwave warnings issued for parts of Gujarat from May 9.
The relief, when it comes, will arrive from May 11. Dust storms and light to moderate rainfall are expected across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh between May 11 and 14, which should bring temperatures down by three to five degrees. Until then, the IMD has advised anyone in these regions to avoid prolonged exposure to the afternoon sun, stay well hydrated, and limit outdoor activity during peak hours.
East India: 70 km/h Winds and Hailstorm Alerts
The eastern states are heading into some of their most volatile weather of the season. West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand are all expected to face severe conditions, with thundersquall wind speeds forecast at up to 70 kilometres per hour. Hailstorm alerts have been issued for isolated pockets of Jharkhand, while Bihar and Odisha are in line for lightning accompanied by light to moderate showers — Bihar between May 10 and 12, and Odisha from May 8 through May 12.
For those travelling through or within these states, evening and nighttime hours carry the greatest risk, as thunderstorm activity tends to intensify after sunset. Road travel and train schedules could face disruption, particularly on routes passing through interior areas of these states.
Northeast India: The Rain Just Will Not Stop
The northeastern states have been dealing with an active rain spell for some time, and the coming week offers little respite. Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are all expected to see widespread rainfall with accompanying thunderstorms and strong gusty winds throughout the forecast period.
The heaviest rainfall is predicted over Arunachal Pradesh between May 13 and 14, while Assam and Meghalaya face their most intense period from May 12 to 14. Popular destinations including Shillong, Cherrapunji, Kaziranga, Tawang, and Ziro may see poor visibility, waterlogged roads, and landslide-prone conditions on key approach routes. Travellers heading to any of these locations this week would do well to build flexibility into their plans.
South India: Pre-Monsoon Activity Picks Up
The southern states are experiencing the restless energy that typically precedes the monsoon's arrival. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Rayalaseema are all forecast to see thunderstorms and gusty winds across the week.
Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the next seven days, with South Interior Karnataka and Lakshadweep also in line for significant precipitation during parts of the forecast window. Wind speeds of 30 to 50 kilometres per hour are forecast along the Karnataka coast and across Lakshadweep until May 12. Beachside and hillside destinations popular during summer holidays may see sudden weather disruptions, with flash flood risks in low-lying areas a particular concern.
The IMD's Advice to Travellers
Across all regions, the IMD has issued a consistent message — stay updated, stay cautious, and do not underestimate how quickly conditions can change. Localised flooding, traffic disruption, reduced visibility, and damage to fragile infrastructure are all possibilities in affected areas. Travellers are advised to avoid waterlogged roads and to check weather updates before beginning any journey this week.
India's weather, as this bulletin makes abundantly clear, is never just one thing at any given moment. This week, it is heatwaves and hailstorms, thundersqualls and clear skies — sometimes within a few hundred kilometres of each other.
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