A sudden hailstorm swept across Delhi-NCR on Thursday afternoon, turning the skies dark and triggering strong winds and lightning across the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph along with thunderstorms and heavy hail in parts of Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. The IMD issued an orange alert for these areas, warning of severe weather conditions. Gurugram and Faridabad came under a yellow alert, while outer NCR regions such as Meerut faced a red alert.
Social media was flooded with visuals showing large hailstones pelting rooftops and streets in Ghaziabad and nearby cities. Residents described the storm as one of the most intense in recent months, with visibility dropping sharply as the skies turned grey.
The IMD had earlier forecast light rainfall and thunderstorms, but the weather escalated rapidly into a full-scale hailstorm. Officials advised residents to stay indoors and avoid open areas during lightning activity.
