Tomorrow’s weather, October 29: The mood will change from Delhi-NCR, UP-Bihar to Punjab; IMD issued alert of heavy rain and hailstorm in these districts

New Delhi/Weather Desk. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of sudden major changes in the weather for many states of North and Central India. Due to the confluence of new Western Disturbance active in the mountains and moist winds coming from the Bay of Bengal, the weather pattern is going to change rapidly. In many areas of Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, a warning has been issued of dense dark clouds, strong thunderstorm, lightning, heavy rain and hailstorm in some selected pockets. Due to this seasonal movement, the maximum day temperature will drop by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius and the sound of pink cold will intensify, while the concerns of the farmers regarding the Kharif crops standing ready in the fields have also increased.

There will be movement of clouds in the sky since morning in the national capital Delhi including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurugram. According to the Meteorological Department, there is a strong possibility of moderate to heavy rain with strong winds (30 to 45 km/hr) in the afternoon or late evening. There is a possibility of light hailstorm along with strong thunder in some areas. Due to the rain, people will get relief from the humid heat prevailing in Delhi-NCR and there will also be a significant improvement in the air pollution level (AQI). The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to be 31 to 32 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature will fall to around 21 degrees Celsius.

The most widespread change will be seen in the weather of Uttar Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has issued yellow and orange alerts for western UP and Terai districts bordering Nepal:

• Districts vulnerable to heavy rain and hailstorm: There is a possibility of heavy rain with thunderstorm and hail at some places in Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri.

• Central and Eastern Uttar Pradesh: There has been a warning of light to moderate rain and lightning in the capital Lucknow, Kanpur, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Farmers working in open fields have been advised to move to safe places during thunderstorms.

With easterly winds gaining strength in most parts of Bihar, moist winds have once again become active during the withdrawal of monsoon. According to the Meteorological Center located in Patna:

• Heavy to very heavy rain may occur at one or two places in Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Supaul and Madhubani districts.

• The capital Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga will remain generally cloudy and moderate rain will be recorded in some phases. Meteorologists have issued a ‘yellow alert’ regarding lightning, especially in rural areas, and have instructed people not to take shelter under trees.

The direct impact of western disturbance will be clearly visible on the plains of Punjab and Haryana. Strong dusty winds with a speed of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour and moderate to heavy rain are expected in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana of Punjab. There is also an alert of thundershowers and sporadic hailstorm in Ambala, Panchkula, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar of Haryana. After this rain, there will be a significant drop in night mercury in north-western India, due to which a slight shiver will be felt in the morning and evening.

Change in atmospheric pressure will be seen due to the effect of disturbance in the desert and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan. There is a possibility of strong dust storm with thunder and light to moderate rain at isolated places in Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts. Although the weather will remain mainly dry and clear in Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner of western Rajasthan, the humidity will reduce due to change in the direction of the winds.

In view of this changed weather pattern, the Meteorological Department and Krishi Vigyan Kendras have issued special guidelines for farmers and travelers:

1. Transport ripe crops to a safe place: Those farmers whose paddy, millet or oilseed crops have been harvested and are lying in the fields to dry, should immediately cover them with tarpaulin or take them to safe warehouses, so that damage caused by getting wet and hail can be avoided.

2. Avoidance of waterlogging in vegetables and gardening: Farmers in the Terai areas should maintain proper drainage of excess water from their fields so that the roots of vegetables do not rot.

3. Protection from lightning: Avoid standing in open fields, mobile towers, electric poles or under tall trees during rain or storm. Take shelter in permanent houses and unplug electronic devices.

4. Drive carefully on the road: Visibility may be reduced during strong thunderstorms and rain, so drive slowly on the highway and avoid parking under trees.