India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an orange alert for the Delhi-NCR region due to an anticipated increase in rain. IMD predicted moderate to heavy rainfall with gusty winds and a possible hailstorm in the region. Several cities in India are expected to continue seeing cloudy skies and rainy weather, with the weather department predicting rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in Northwest and East India.


Meteorologist H P Chandra while talking to ANI said, "The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert in the areas adjoining Surajpur, Balrampur, Surguja, Jaspur, Pendra Road, Kabirdham, Mahasamund, Durg, Raipur, Balod, Dhamtari, Kanker, Narayanpur, Kondagaon. A yellow alert was issued in Korea, Bilaspur, Mungeli, Janjgir, Bemetara, Balodbazar, and Rajnandgaon areas".


The seven-day forecast by the regional meteorological centre stated that Delhi is likely to experience a generally cloudy sky, thunderstorms with light to moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds, and hail in isolated areas. It's probable that both the maximum and lowest temperatures will be in the range of 26 and 16 degrees, respectively. 


Delhi and its nearby areas are expected to witness pleasant weather this week.


"A Western Disturbance is coming, due to which an induced cyclonic circulation has formed over Rajasthan, due to the combined effect of both, the region is getting abundant moisture from the Bay of Bengal. Only one Dronika has passed from Karnataka to Jharkhand via North Chhattisgarh, due to which light to moderate rain conditions have developed in some places in the state today," ANI quoted H P Chandra as saying.


He added, "In the coming 24 hours, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at many places in the state. There is a possibility of sprinkling along with it. There is also a possibility of thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorm at one or two places in the state. Now news has come from Kanker that a hailstorm has been registered in Charama of Kanker. It is likely to remain till March 20, after that the weather will continue to improve."


Hailstorms lashed parts of Delhi on Sunday bringing the maximum temperature three notches below the season’s average to 28 degrees Celsius, the IMD said. 


An orange alert is a warning issued to authorities to be prepared for any emergency situation that may arise due to weather changes.