The storm and rain fury across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has left 48 people dead, disrupted air travel in Patna, and triggered weather alerts across several northern and central states.

Storms, Heavy Rain Claim 48 Lives Across UP and Bihar; Flight Operations Hit

Rising Death Toll

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and lightning have claimed at least 48 lives across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar over the past 24 hours, as unstable weather conditions continued to affect large parts of northern and eastern India. Authorities have issued fresh alerts in multiple states, warning of more rain, strong winds and hailstorms in the coming days.

According to officials, Uttar Pradesh reported 31 deaths linked to thunderstorms and related incidents, while Bihar recorded 17 fatalities caused by lightning strikes, strong winds and heavy rainfall. The weather system, which developed amid an ongoing heatwave across several regions, has brought a sudden shift in temperatures but also caused widespread disruption.

Saharanpur Sees Flash Flood-Like Situation

One of the most dramatic incidents was reported from Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh, where intense rainfall triggered a surge of water and debris from a hillside. Local authorities said at least 10 vehicles, including an Innova and a tractor, were swept away by the force of the water.

Visuals from the area showed damaged vehicles and debris scattered along roads. Emergency teams were deployed to assess losses and restore normal movement. No major rescue operation was reported by officials, though the incident highlighted the intensity of the weather conditions affecting the region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has maintained rain and thunderstorm alerts for all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Patna Flights Diverted

In Bihar, heavy rain and thunderstorms disrupted air traffic at Patna airport. Airport officials said four flights were diverted due to adverse weather conditions, while 18 others faced delays.

More than 500 passengers were affected as airlines adjusted schedules amid poor visibility and strong winds. Rail services also experienced delays at several locations, adding to travel difficulties across the state.

The IMD has forecast rain in around 25 districts of Bihar, with fresh warnings issued for thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorms.

Weather Changes Across North India

The changing weather pattern has been visible across several states. Rajasthan witnessed a sharp drop in temperatures after widespread rain and hailstorms. Districts including Churu, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Sikar, Jaipur and Alwar recorded a fall of up to 10 degrees Celsius compared to previous days.

A fresh alert for thunderstorms and hailstorms remains in place for nearly 30 districts of the state. Meteorologists have linked the weather activity to an active western disturbance influencing northwestern India.

In Punjab, hailstorms were reported from Pathankot on Saturday morning, while heavy rainfall lashed Mohali and surrounding areas. Rain and strong wind warnings have been issued for multiple districts, including Chandigarh and Panchkula.

Central India Gets Relief

Parts of Madhya Pradesh also received rainfall, bringing temporary relief from intense summer heat. Several districts, including Gwalior, witnessed showers on Friday, and weather officials have warned of possible hailstorms in nine districts, including Bhopal, Datia, Chhatarpur, Neemuch and Mandsaur.

The sudden change in weather is expected to keep daytime temperatures below recent heatwave levels in many parts of the state.

Monsoon Outlook Under Watch

Even as pre-monsoon activity intensifies, the IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Kerala within the next seven days. However, the broader seasonal outlook remains a concern.

The weather agency has projected below-normal rainfall during the June-September monsoon season, estimating precipitation at around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average. While northeastern India is expected to receive near-normal rainfall, several other regions may face rainfall deficits.

Agricultural experts are closely monitoring the forecast, particularly in rain-fed farming regions where monsoon performance directly affects crop planning and rural livelihoods.

Fresh Alerts Continue

For the next two days, the IMD has warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Rainfall activity is expected to remain widespread, with local administrations advising residents to remain cautious during periods of severe weather.

As storm and rain fury continues to affect large parts of the country, authorities are monitoring the situation closely while emergency response teams remain on alert in vulnerable districts.

Heavy pre-monsoon activity disrupted normal life across several states on Friday, with hailstorms in Rajasthan, 100 kmph winds in Uttar Pradesh, and fresh rain alerts issued in more than 15 states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also revised its monsoon rainfall forecast downward, raising concerns over a weaker rainy season this year.

Storms Replace Heat

Instead of the usual intense ‘Nautapa’ heatwave conditions, large parts of north and central India witnessed thunderstorms, rain and gusty winds since Thursday night. In Uttar Pradesh, strong winds and rain swept through Lucknow, Prayagraj, Jhansi and Chandauli early Friday morning.

Initial reports indicate wind speeds touched nearly 100 kmph in some districts. In Hamirpur, an under-construction bridge reportedly collapsed during the storm, killing six people. Local authorities said rescue teams were deployed soon after the incident.

The IMD has issued storm alerts for all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Saharanpur also reported hailstorm activity, while in Jhansi, a heavy advertising structure was uprooted due to strong winds.

Hail During Nautapa

Rajasthan, which has been battling severe heat over the past week, saw sudden weather changes in several districts. Sri Ganganagar received hail late Thursday evening despite recording a maximum temperature of 47.1 degrees Celsius.

The weather department has issued alerts for rain and thunderstorms in at least 12 districts. Jaipur recorded its hottest day of the season on Thursday, with temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius, though officials expect some relief over the weekend.

In Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh, residents reported unusually large hailstones, some described as egg-sized. Videos from the area showed damaged plastic furniture and slippery roads after the storm.

IMD Cuts Rainfall Forecast

The IMD on Friday said India may receive below-normal rainfall during the 2026 monsoon season. According to officials, the estimated seasonal rainfall has now been reduced to around 78 cm, down from the earlier forecast of 80 cm issued last month.

The country’s long-period average rainfall stands at 87 cm based on data from 1971 to 2020. IMD Deputy Director General Dr M. Mohapatra said the rainfall this year could remain around 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA), slightly lower than previous estimates.

If the projection holds, this would be among the weakest monsoon performances since 2018.

Monsoon Arrival Delayed

The southwest monsoon, meanwhile, remains stalled near the Kerala coast. The IMD had earlier forecast an early onset around May 26, nearly five days ahead of schedule, but the system has shown little movement over the past several days.

Private weather agency Skymet now expects the monsoon to reach Kerala between June 3 and June 4. According to weather experts, atmospheric conditions over the Arabian Sea are currently slowing further advancement.

The monsoon had entered the Andaman region around May 16, initially indicating a faster progression.

Damage Across States

Odisha reported three deaths linked to lightning strikes and storm-related incidents over the last 24 hours. Officials said more than 250 homes were damaged in districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Rourkela and Angul. Trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas.

In Chhattisgarh, strong winds uprooted trees in Raigarh and Sukma, while parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Damoh, witnessed rain and hail. Bengaluru also saw traffic disruptions after trees collapsed during an evening storm on Thursday.

Delhi-NCR and nearby Noida experienced traffic snarls after sudden rainfall during peak hours.

Heatwave Still Persists

Despite widespread rain activity, heatwave conditions continue in pockets of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and coastal states. The IMD has issued orange alerts for severe heat in districts such as Morena, Sheopur, Tikamgarh and Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh.

Meteorologists said temperatures could gradually dip over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh over the next two days as thunderstorm activity intensifies.

For now, the pre-monsoon rain alert remains active across much of north, central and eastern India, with officials advising people to remain cautious during thunderstorms and strong wind activity.

IMD Storm Alert in 15 States as North India Shivers

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm alert for 15 states, including Bihar and Chhattisgarh, as active Western Disturbances trigger unseasonal snowfall, rain and hail across large parts of the country. Snowfall blanketed the four Dhams in Uttarakhand on Wednesday while rain and strong winds lashed Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures even in April.

Thunderstorm Alert for 15 States

The IMD storm alert covers multiple regions, with Bihar and Chhattisgarh among the states on high alert for sudden thunderstorms. Officials said the system is linked to the Kal Baisakhi weather pattern, typical in April-May, which can bring gusts of 50 to 100 kmph along with rain and hail.

Snowfall in Himalayan Regions

Fresh snowfall covered Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand on Wednesday. Mountains in Himachal Pradesh also saw snow while the plains received moderate rain. Himachal’s average maximum temperature fell 11°C below normal. High-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, including Gulmarg, recorded fresh snowfall.

Rains Lash Northern Plains

Lucknow and 25 other districts in Uttar Pradesh witnessed rain accompanied by strong winds. A pontoon bridge at Ganga Ferry Ghat in Meja, Prayagraj, was swept away by the swollen river. In Rajasthan, several districts recorded more than an inch of rain over the past two days. A tree branch broke and fell on a moving roadways bus in Barabanki, though no casualties were reported.

Temperature Plunge in North India

A noticeable drop in temperature is being felt across North India. Rajasthan has seen a 7-degree decline over the last 20 days. Delhi recorded its coldest April day in 11 years on Wednesday. Madhya Pradesh is experiencing three active cyclonic circulations, adding to the unsettled weather.

Kal Baisakhi Active in Bihar

The Kal Baisakhi system has become particularly active in Bihar. This sudden storm phenomenon typically strikes in the Vaishakh month and can disrupt daily life with intense winds, rain and hail before clearing quickly.

Bridge Swept Away in Prayagraj

The strong currents in the Ganga near Prayagraj washed away the pontoon bridge, highlighting the immediate impact of the weather shift on local infrastructure. Similar incidents of fallen branches and waterlogging were reported from other parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Outlook for Coming Days

According to the latest forecast, April 9 is likely to bring continued snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Light rain may occur at isolated places in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha could see thunderstorms with winds gusting between 30 and 50 kmph. A heavy rain alert has been issued for Assam and Meghalaya. On April 10, light to moderate rain and snowfall may persist in Jammu and Kashmir while isolated light rain is expected in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Thunderstorms will continue to affect West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.

The IMD has indicated that weather conditions are likely to improve and remain largely clear across Rajasthan from April 9 for the next week. This India news update underscores the impact of Western Disturbances on public life, agriculture and transport even as the country moves into the summer season. Authorities have advised residents in the affected areas to stay alert to the latest weather bulletins.