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.

Rain and Hail Disrupt North India as Heatwave Persists in Parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

A sudden spell of rain, hailstorms, and thunderstorms brought relief from the scorching heat in several parts of North and Central India on Thursday, even as Gujarat’s Rajkot emerged as the hottest place in the country with a maximum temperature of 42.9 degrees Celsius.

The contrasting weather patterns highlighted the unpredictable nature of the pre-monsoon season, with heavy downpours reported in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while hail lashed parts of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Rain batters eastern UP districts

Heavy rain lashed several districts of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, including Banda, Bijnor, Shahjahanpur, Kanpur Dehat, and Mahoba. In Bijnor, a CCTV tower installed along a road collapsed due to strong winds and rain, leading to a temporary power outage in the area. Local authorities rushed to the spot to restore normalcy.

In Barabanki, slippery road conditions triggered a major accident involving two double-decker buses, a DCM truck, and several other vehicles. One person from Basti district died on the spot, police said. Traffic movement was affected on the highway for several hours following the incident.

Bihar districts receive heavy showers

Bihar also witnessed intense rainfall in at least five districts, including Jamui. Reports of hailstorms accompanied the rain in some areas, causing damage to standing crops and orchards. Farmers expressed concern over possible losses even as the showers brought down temperatures temporarily.

Hailstorms hit Rajasthan

Weather turned dramatic in Rajasthan during the afternoon hours, with rain and hail reported in Alwar, Tonk, and Kotputli-Behror districts. Hailstones of considerable size were seen in several pockets, startling residents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a possible rise of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures across the state in the coming days.

Thunderstorms grip Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds continued for the seventh consecutive day. Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, and Tikamgarh received fresh spells on Thursday. However, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in as many as 44 districts, including the major cities of Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Jabalpur.

Snowfall alert in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh recorded rainfall in several places including Shimla, Jubbarhatti, Sundernagar, and Kangra. Lightning strikes were also reported. Sarahan in Sirmaur district received the highest 24-hour rainfall of 20 mm. The meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for rain and snowfall in upper reaches of Kinnaur and Mandi districts from May 11 to 13.

Fresh snowfall was recorded in Kedarnath on Thursday, while Pithoragarh received 18 mm of rain and Song in Bageshwar recorded 12 mm.

Uttarakhand braces for more rain

Rain and snowfall are likely to continue in higher reaches of Uttarakhand, particularly in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh districts in the coming days.

Two-day weather outlook

The IMD has forecast rain with strong winds (30-50 kmph) in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on May 9. Thunderstorms and rain are likely in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal may also witness rain with lightning risk.

On May 10, light rain and thunder are expected in parts of Uttarakhand, while isolated thunderstorms are likely in areas around Pathankot, Rupnagar, and Mohali in Punjab. Southern and central Bihar may again see thunderstorms with rain.

Mixed impact on daily life

While the rain brought much-needed respite from the intense heat in many regions, it also caused temporary disruptions to road and power infrastructure. Farmers in rain-hit areas remain cautiously optimistic, hoping the precipitation does not damage rabi crops at the harvesting stage. Officials have urged people to avoid venturing out during thunderstorms and lightning.

The sharp variation in weather across North and Central India underscores the challenges posed by changing climate patterns during the transition to the monsoon season.