IMD rain and storm alert across 15 states; Delhi-NCR heatwave likely from May 16
Synopsis
The IMD has simultaneously issued storm alerts for 15 states and a heatwave warning for Delhi-NCR — a split that captures India's increasingly erratic pre-monsoon weather. While Punjab faces both thunderstorms and a Yellow Alert for heat in the same week, Delhi is staring down 42-degree temperatures just days after dust storms swept the capital.
Key Takeaways
The IMD issued heavy rain, thunderstorm, and strong wind alerts for 15 states on 16 May , including Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , and Punjab .
Gusty winds of 80 to 85 kmph are forecast across several regions, with hailstorm warnings issued for select areas.
Six Punjab districts — Pathankot , Gurdaspur , Fazilka , Amritsar , Hoshiarpur , and Muktsar — are on thunderstorm alert with winds up to 50 kmph .
Punjab also faces a Yellow Alert for heatwave conditions from 16 to 20 May .
Delhi-NCR is expected to record a maximum of 41°C on 16 May and 42°C on 17 May as hot and dry conditions return.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday, 16 May issued alerts for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across 15 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab, even as Delhi-NCR braces for a sharp temperature surge with the mercury expected to cross 40 degrees Celsius.
Nationwide Weather Alert
The IMD warned that intense weather activity is likely across several parts of the country on 16 May, urging residents to exercise extreme caution. Gusty winds with speeds ranging from 80 to 85 kmph are forecast for many regions. North Indian states face the threat of severe storms, and hailstorm warnings have been issued for select areas.
Punjab on Double Alert: Storms and Heatwave
The IMD has issued thunderstorm and rainfall alerts for six districts of Punjab. According to the Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh, isolated severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, and Muktsar, with wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph expected in these districts.
Simultaneously, the weather department has issued a Yellow Alert for heatwave conditions across several parts of Punjab from 16 May to 20 May — a rare concurrent warning of both storms and heat for the same state.
Delhi-NCR: Brief Relief Before the Heat Returns
Residents of Delhi woke to a relatively pleasant morning on Friday, with the minimum temperature settling at around 25 degrees Celsius, a day after strong dust storms and gusty winds swept across parts of the national capital and northern India. However, that relief is set to be short-lived.
The IMD has forecast a sharp rise in temperatures across Delhi-NCR over the coming days. The maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to touch 41 degrees Celsius on 16 May under mainly clear skies, with a minimum of 24 degrees Celsius. Temperatures may climb further to 42 degrees Celsius on 17 May, with partly cloudy skies and the possibility of thunderstorm and lightning activity.
What Comes Next
Despite brief spells of rain providing temporary respite, hot and dry conditions are expected to return to Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas. The IMD's dual advisory — storm alerts for multiple states alongside heatwave warnings for the capital region — underscores the increasingly volatile nature of India's pre-monsoon weather patterns. Authorities have advised residents in affected states to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours and avoid open areas during thunderstorm activity.
Point of View
Sometimes for the same state — is no longer an anomaly; it is becoming the pre-monsoon norm. Punjab receiving both a thunderstorm alert and a Yellow Alert for heat in the same week reflects a weather pattern that standard preparedness frameworks are not designed for. Delhi's temperature trajectory, from dust storms to 42 degrees within 48 hours, signals that the capital's heat-action plans need to account for faster swings, not just prolonged heat. The broader concern is public complacency: when storm relief arrives, residents tend to underestimate how quickly extreme heat can return.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states are under IMD rain and storm alert on 16 May?
The IMD has issued alerts for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across 15 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab. Gusty winds of up to 85 kmph are expected in several regions, with hailstorm warnings also in place for select areas.
What is the weather forecast for Delhi on 16 and 17 May?
Delhi is forecast to record a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on 16 May under mainly clear skies. On 17 May, temperatures may rise further to 42 degrees Celsius with partly cloudy skies and the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning.
Why has Punjab received both storm and heatwave alerts simultaneously?
The IMD has issued thunderstorm warnings for six Punjab districts alongside a Yellow Alert for heatwave conditions across the state from 16 to 20 May. This reflects the volatile pre-monsoon weather pattern where storm activity and heat extremes can occur in close succession or even concurrently.
What precautions has the IMD advised for residents?
The IMD has urged residents in affected states to exercise extreme caution, particularly during the active weather period on 16 May. Authorities generally advise staying indoors during peak afternoon heat and avoiding open areas during thunderstorm and lightning activity.
Will the storms provide lasting relief from the heat in Delhi-NCR?
No, according to the IMD forecast. Despite brief spells of rain and cooler conditions following recent dust storms, hot and dry conditions are expected to return to Delhi-NCR, with temperatures climbing back above 41 degrees Celsius from 16 May onwards.
