Fri May 23 01:20:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Deadly Storms Sweep Across India: Weather Department Issues Widespread Alerts**
**New Delhi, India** – A deadly combination of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves has gripped India, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue alerts for 28 states. The recent extreme weather events have already claimed numerous lives and caused widespread damage across the country.
Uttar Pradesh has been particularly hard-hit, with 58 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours due to storm-related incidents. A powerful storm swept through 64 districts, with Gorakhpur experiencing the heaviest rainfall at 74mm, causing widespread flooding that inundated roads, hospitals, and residential areas. Noida also witnessed intense winds gusting up to 80 kmph.
Neighboring Madhya Pradesh experienced similar conditions, with strong winds and heavy rain uprooting trees in several districts, including Bhopal. The IMD attributes the volatile weather to a strong system passing over the region, coupled with an active cyclonic circulation. The forecast indicates that these conditions are likely to persist for the coming days.
Rajasthan is battling a dual threat of heatwaves and thunderstorms. While western districts are bracing for dust storms, other regions experienced heavy rain and hail. A tragic incident in Chittorgarh saw a woman and child killed when a wall collapsed due to the storm. In addition, several cities in Rajasthan are experiencing scorching heat, with Ganganagar recording a high of 47.3°C. The IMD has issued red, orange, and yellow alerts for heatwaves in different parts of the state, alongside a yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain in 19 districts.
Even the capital, Delhi, experienced a significant temperature drop of 5.5°C following a dust storm on May 21st. Just days earlier, heavy rain and hail with winds up to 79 kmph resulted in three fatalities and eleven injuries in Delhi-NCR.
The IMD forecasts continued unsettled weather across much of the country. Delhi-NCR can expect light rain and strong winds on May 24th. While western Uttar Pradesh is likely to see more rain, eastern Uttar Pradesh is under a heatwave alert. Rajasthan’s eastern regions also have a chance of rain. Punjab and Haryana are preparing for dust storms, thunderstorms, and light rain. Heavy rainfall is expected in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Nagaland, raising concerns of flooding and fallen trees. Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa are also under heavy rainfall warnings. Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand will experience light rain and strong winds, while Bihar and West Bengal can anticipate rain and gusty winds. Mumbai, Maharashtra is bracing for potentially heavy rainfall.
Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the latest weather updates. The ongoing extreme weather events highlight the increasing vulnerability of India to climate change and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness measures.
First Piper 