Overview
- The India Meteorological Department says northwest and north India will get relief from the heat over the next two to three days as a western disturbance and easterly moisture trigger widespread thunderstorms with gusts commonly 60–80 km/h and isolated gusts up to about 100 km/h.
- IMD satellite imagery shows a massive cloud band over north and central India and the agency has issued orange alerts for Delhi and surrounding areas for moderate to severe thunderstorms, lightning, dust storms and isolated hail through May 31.
- In its second‑stage seasonal update the IMD cut the June–September monsoon rainfall forecast to about 90% of the long‑period average and warned that rising El Niño odds could weaken and make the season more variable.
- Other national services have issued active severe‑weather warnings: Australia’s BOM warned of damaging winds and flash‑flooding in southwest Western Australia, the UK Met Office forecast the heatwave will break with heavy weekend rain and thunderstorms, and US regional offices warned of severe storms, large hail and flash floods in New Mexico and New England.
- Forecasters and emergency services warn of immediate impacts on people, transport and crops from gusty winds, lightning, hail and local flooding and say residents should shelter during storms, avoid travel in heavy rain and secure loose outdoor objects as the seasonal transition proceeds.