Heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms swept across Delhi-NCR on Thursday, bringing relief from intense heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded its weather warning from yellow to red alert as dark clouds, gusty winds and heavy showers affected several parts of the region.   An orange alert has been issued for Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad. Wind speeds of up to 60 kmph were recorded in some areas. The IMD has forecast more light rain, thunderstorms and lightning during the night and on Friday. The weather change comes as the southwest monsoon officially entered Kerala on Thursday, marking the start of India's rainy season. (PC: HT)

The Southwest Monsoon officially arrived in Kerala on Thursday, marking the start of the rainy season across India. The onset came about three days later than its normal schedule, as forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).   The monsoon is expected to advance gradually across the country and cover most regions by mid-July. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kerala over the coming days, with parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also likely to receive significant rain.   The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture sector, with more than half of the country's cultivated land dependent on rainfall. Meteorologists linked the delayed arrival to weather systems over the western Pacific and Arabian Sea. (PC: HT)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Kerala on June 4, marking the beginning of the country's four-month rainy season. The weather agency has issued a warning for very heavy rainfall in parts of Kerala as monsoon conditions strengthen.   According to the IMD, widespread rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected across southern India over the next week. Kerala is likely to receive the heaviest rainfall during the monsoon's onset phase. Authorities have advised residents to stay alert, especially in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and localized flooding, as intense rain activity is forecast in the coming days. (PC: India Today)

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening rapidly, with more than 1,000 suspected cases and at least 246 deaths reported. Medical charity MSF described the situation as "deeply alarming" and warned that the outbreak is spreading faster than expected.   Neighbouring Uganda has confirmed nine cases and one death. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the affected Ituri province to support response efforts.   Health workers are increasing testing and awareness campaigns. However, conflict, border closures and delayed aid deliveries are making containment difficult. The current Bundibugyo strain has no proven vaccine and remains a major concern. (PC: Anadolu via Getty Images)

A massive dust storm swept across Rajasthan’s Bikaner on Saturday, engulfing the city in thick clouds of sand and plunging parts of the region into near-darkness. The powerful winds drastically reduced visibility, forcing shopkeepers to shut businesses and residents to seek shelter. Several areas reported power outages, while falling tree branches and flying debris disrupted normal life. Dramatic videos of a towering wall of yellow dust moving across the city quickly went viral on social media, with many describing the scenes as “apocalyptic.” Weather officials have warned of continued thunderstorms, strong winds, and unstable conditions across parts of Rajasthan. (PC: X)

A massive sandstorm engulfed several parts of Rajasthan, dramatically reducing visibility and disrupting normal life across affected districts. Videos and images shared online showed towering walls of dust moving across cities and highways, prompting weather authorities to issue advisories. According to meteorological officials, the storm is associated with a strong weather system and is likely to impact Delhi-NCR within the next few hours. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take precautions against dust-related health issues. The approaching storm may also bring thunderstorms, gusty winds, and sudden changes in weather conditions across northern India.

Several parts of Delhi-NCR witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, providing significant relief from the intense summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert, warning residents of possible waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and reduced visibility in some areas. Rainfall was reported across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and nearby regions, leading to cooler temperatures and improved air quality. Authorities advised commuters to exercise caution during peak travel hours. The IMD has forecast continued chances of light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across the region over the next few days.

India may face its weakest monsoon in more than a decade in 2026, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The agency expects rainfall to be around 90 per cent of normal and says there is a 60 per cent chance of a deficient monsoon. Scientists say the main reason is the development of El Nino in the Pacific Ocean, which often reduces rainfall in India. The Indian Ocean Dipole, which can sometimes offset El Nino's effects, is expected to remain neutral this year. Below-normal rainfall could affect crops, water supplies, and food prices across many parts of the country.

India is likely to receive below-normal monsoon rainfall this year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency has lowered its forecast from 92% to 90% of the long-period average rainfall.   The IMD said weak El Nino conditions are expected to develop in June and may strengthen later in the season. Northeast India is likely to receive normal rainfall, while many other regions may see less rain than usual.   The department also warned of above-normal heatwave days in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, during June. (PC: HT)

A fresh Western Disturbance is set to bring thundersqualls, hailstorms and dust storms across several parts of North and central India from Thursday, while the southwest monsoon continues advancing further. The India Meteorological Department has forecast strong winds of up to 80 kmph in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Isolated hailstorms are also likely in parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall was reported in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on Wednesday. Heatwave conditions are expected to ease gradually, with temperatures across northwest India likely to fall by 6-8 degrees Celsius over the next two days. (PC: India Today)