IMD has issued a red alert for severe thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds of up to 80 kmph across Delhi on 4 May 2026. Here is what residents need to know and how to stay safe.Due to cloud cover and rain, the maximum temperature is likely to remain between 32-34°C on Monday (HT)(HT_PRINT)Heavy rainfall swept across Delhi on Monday (4 May) as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for severe thunderstorms and hailstorms across large parts of the national capital, with conditions expected to remain potentially disruptive through the day.The warning, issued late on Sunday evening, placed several Delhi districts under the department's most serious alert level while others were assigned an orange alert, signalling the need for heightened preparedness.Which Parts of Delhi Are Under Red and Orange Alert?The IMD confirmed that the red alert covers Outer North Delhi, Northwest Delhi, West Delhi, Southwest Delhi, parts of North Delhi, Central Delhi, Northeast Delhi and Shahdara. South Delhi, Southeast Delhi and remaining parts of North Delhi have been placed under an orange alert. Isolated thunderstorm activity is also expected at various locations across the wider Delhi-NCR region.According to the weather department, the city is very likely to experience severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorms, dust storms and moderate rainfall, with gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour in some areas.What Damage Could the Storm Cause? IMD Lists Likely ImpactsThe weather office issued a detailed list of potential impacts associated with the storm system moving over the capital. Large tree branches are likely to break, and weak or old trees could be uprooted entirely. Lightning strikes pose a particular risk at vulnerable locations such as tall trees and electric poles, the IMD warned.Beyond these, authorities cautioned against a broader range of possible disruptions. "Damage to kutcha houses, huts and weak structures, partial collapse of boundary walls, difficult driving conditions and possible road accidents are also likely. Vehicles may also be damaged due to falling branches or debris," the department said.Municipal services, including power supply, could also face interruption as a result of the storm.Thunderstorm and Hailstorm Warnings Across North India on 4 May 2026The severe weather system is not confined to Delhi alone. The IMD has issued storm warnings across a wide swathe of northern India for 4 May 2026, covering the following regions:East Uttar Pradesh and West Uttar Pradesh are both under warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, squalls and hailstorms. Uttarakhand faces an additional heavy rain warning alongside thunderstorm and hailstorm alerts. Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are all under warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, squalls and hailstorms.About the AuthorLivemintFor about a decade, Livemint—News Desk has been a credible source for authentic and timely news, and well-researched analysis on national news, business, personal finance, corporates, politics and geopolitics. We bring the latest updates on all the listed companies on BSE and NSE, startups, mutual funds, Union ministries, geopolitics, and untapped human interest stories from around the world, helping our readers to stay informed on the latest developments around the globe. Our Coverage Areas 1. Companies: Comprehensive news and analysis on listed and unlisted companies, corporate announcements, corporate chatter, C-suite, business trends, hiring alerts, layoffs, work-life balance, world's top billionaires and richest and more. 2. Personal finance: Insights into mutual funds, small savings schemes like - PPF, SSY, post office savings scheme, stock to watch, personal loans, credit cards, top bank FDs, real estate, income tax and more. 3. Politics: Comprehensive coverage of general elections, state elections and bypolls, Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Pa
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