States » NorthPosted at: Oct 15 2026 6:10PM


Hailstorms, winds in Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh; dry weather likely from October 17

Panchkula, Oct 15 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday warned of hailstorms, thunderstorms and winds gusting up to 60 kmph at isolated places across Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi, as an active western disturbance and an upper-air cyclonic circulation brought unsettled weather to northwest India.
In its evening All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, the IMD predicted fairly widespread to widespread rainfall across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab on October 15, with isolated hailstorms, lightning and gusty winds posing risks to standing crops, horticultural plantations and electricity infrastructure.
Thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 40–50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely at isolated places in the region, the weather office said.
The warning comes as a western disturbance persists as a cyclonic circulation over northern Punjab and adjoining areas at 3.1-4.5 km above mean sea level, with an associated upper-level trough extending through the middle and upper troposphere.
Another upper-air cyclonic circulation remains active over southern Haryana and adjoining areas at an altitude of approximately 0.9 km above mean sea level, according to the IMD's meteorological analysis based on observations at 2.30 pm.
The IMD said rainfall activity across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab is expected to weaken considerably on October 16, with isolated showers replacing the more widespread rainfall forecast for Thursday.
However, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds of 30–40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, may continue at isolated places across Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on Friday.
The department's seven-day rainfall forecast indicates dry weather across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab from October 17 to 21.
The forecast suggests a relatively brief spell of disturbed weather over the northern plains, followed by improving conditions during the weekend.
The IMD warned that thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong winds could damage standing crops, fruit orchards and vegetable plantations. Strong winds may break tree branches, uproot trees and damage electricity and communication lines, potentially disrupting essential services in affected areas.
Hailstorms could also cause injuries to people and livestock in open spaces, while vulnerable structures, temporary shelters and kutcha houses may suffer damage.
In its agricultural advisory, the department recommended using protective hail nets or coverings in orchards and vegetable fields, particularly in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Farmers were also advised to secure harvested produce, use tarpaulin sheets where necessary and provide support to vulnerable horticultural plants.
According to the IMD, rainfall occurred at many places in Punjab and at a few places across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours till morning.
Khadrala in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla district recorded 8 cm of rainfall, while Lolab in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district and the Udhampur Indian Air Force station each recorded 6 cm.
Heavy rainfall was reported at isolated locations in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir during the reporting period.
The department also reported above-normal minimum temperatures at several locations across Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, with departures exceeding 5.1 degrees Celsius at isolated places.
The weather office advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms, close doors and windows and avoid unnecessary travel when weather conditions deteriorate. People were specifically warned against taking shelter beneath trees during lightning activity.
The IMD also advised disconnecting electrical appliances, staying away from water bodies and avoiding contact with objects that conduct electricity during thunderstorms.
In a significant seasonal development, the IMD announced that the southwest monsoon had withdrawn from the entire country on October 15.
Simultaneously, northeast monsoon rainfall activity commenced over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and Kerala.
The weather office attributed the onset to the establishment of easterly and northeasterly winds over southern peninsular India and adjoining parts of the Bay of Bengal, along with a persistent cyclonic circulation over southern coastal Tamil Nadu.
The IMD forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on October 15 and 16, Kerala and Mahe on October 15, and south interior Karnataka on October 16.
Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected over Kerala and Mahe from October 16 to 21, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from October 17 to 21, and south interior Karnataka on October 15 and from October 17 to 21.
Coastal Karnataka is likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall on October 16 and 17, while coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may receive heavy rainfall at isolated locations on October 15 and 16.
The IMD warned that intense rainfall in southern states could cause localised waterlogging, flooding of low-lying areas, damage to vulnerable structures and disruption to road and rail traffic.
The contrasting weather patterns mark a seasonal transition, with the southwest monsoon withdrawing from India, northeast monsoon rainfall commencing over the southern peninsula and a western disturbance bringing temporary thunderstorms and hailstorms to northwest India.
UNI KK RSA
Tags: #Hailstorms# winds in Haryana# Punjab# Chandigarh; dry weather likely from October 17
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