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The recent hailstorm in Delhi-NCR brought much-needed respite from the sweltering heat, causing a significant drop in the maximum temperature. The city experienced a maximum temperature of 34.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday, a substantial 5.5 notches below the seasonal average. This stark contrast to the previous day's high of 40.7 degrees Celsius provided residents with a welcome break from the intense heatwave that had been gripping the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that other monitoring stations across Delhi also recorded a dip in maximum temperatures, with Palam and Lodhi Road registering 33.8 degrees Celsius each, followed by 34.8 degrees Celsius in Ridge, and 34.2 degrees Celsius in Aya Nagar. This widespread cooling effect highlights the significant impact of the hailstorm and subsequent rainfall on the city's temperature profile. The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.8 degrees Celsius, which is 5.9 degrees below the normal temperature for this time of year. This contributed further to the overall cooling effect, making the weather conditions significantly more comfortable for Delhi residents. Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast a thunderstorm with rain for Friday, indicating that the relatively cooler weather is likely to persist in the short term. However, the maximum temperature is expected to rise slightly to around 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is predicted to be around 23 degrees Celsius. This suggests that while the immediate relief from the heatwave may continue, temperatures are likely to gradually return to more typical levels for this time of year. The hailstorm, which occurred on Wednesday evening, was accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 79 kilometers per hour. This severe weather event had a significant impact on Delhi-NCR, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives and injuries to eleven others. The strong winds and heavy rain caused widespread damage, uprooting several billboards, trees, and poles across Delhi and Noida. This resulted in significant traffic disruptions and inconvenience for commuters. The IMD attributed the unusual weather conditions to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and its neighboring areas, embedded in an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh in the lower tropospheric levels. This cyclonic circulation is drawing moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, contributing to the instability in the atmosphere and the formation of thunderstorms and hailstorms. The high humidity levels, ranging between 69 and 51 percent during the day, further exacerbated the discomfort caused by the heat before the hailstorm. This highlights the complex interplay of meteorological factors that influence weather patterns in the region and underscores the importance of accurate weather forecasting to provide timely warnings and minimize the impact of severe weather events. The events in Delhi-NCR serve as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which are often attributed to climate change. As global temperatures continue to rise, it is likely that regions like Delhi-NCR will experience more frequent and severe heatwaves, punctuated by intense storms and hailstorms. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and build resilience to extreme weather events. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in climate adaptation measures, and improving weather forecasting and early warning systems. Furthermore, it is crucial to develop effective strategies for managing the impacts of extreme weather events, such as providing adequate emergency response services, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting public awareness and education. The recent hailstorm in Delhi-NCR also highlights the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events. The dense population, extensive infrastructure, and limited green spaces in cities can amplify the impacts of heatwaves, floods, and storms. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate climate resilience into urban planning and development processes. This includes designing buildings and infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, increasing green spaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect, and improving drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding. In addition, it is crucial to promote sustainable transportation options and reduce air pollution to improve air quality and reduce the health impacts of extreme weather events. The events in Delhi-NCR serve as a valuable case study for understanding the complex challenges posed by climate change and the importance of taking proactive measures to mitigate its impacts and build resilience to extreme weather events. By learning from these experiences, we can develop more effective strategies for protecting communities and ecosystems from the growing threat of climate change. The disruption caused by uprooted trees and poles in Delhi-NCR underscores the importance of proper tree management and infrastructure maintenance. Regular inspections and pruning of trees can help to prevent them from falling during strong winds, while ensuring that infrastructure is properly maintained can reduce the risk of damage from extreme weather events. Furthermore, it is crucial to invest in undergrounding power lines and communication cables to protect them from damage and ensure reliable service during storms. The hailstorm also highlights the importance of public awareness and preparedness for extreme weather events. Providing timely warnings and information about how to stay safe during storms and hailstorms can help to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities. This includes educating the public about the dangers of driving or walking in heavy rain and strong winds, and providing guidance on how to secure property and protect themselves from hailstones. In addition, it is crucial to have effective emergency response plans in place to provide assistance to those affected by extreme weather events. This includes coordinating with different agencies and organizations to provide shelter, food, medical care, and other essential services to those in need. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plays a crucial role in providing accurate weather forecasts and warnings to the public. By improving its forecasting capabilities and expanding its network of weather monitoring stations, the IMD can provide more timely and accurate information to help people prepare for extreme weather events. This includes developing more sophisticated models for predicting the intensity and trajectory of storms and hailstorms, and providing more localized forecasts to help people in specific areas prepare for the impacts of extreme weather events. In addition, it is crucial to improve communication channels to ensure that weather warnings and information reach the public in a timely and effective manner. This includes using social media, mobile apps, and other platforms to disseminate information quickly and widely. The recent hailstorm in Delhi-NCR also highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change. Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution, and international cooperation is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to extreme weather events. This includes sharing best practices, providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries, and working together to develop and implement effective climate policies. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for all. The events in Delhi-NCR serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of climate change, extreme weather events, and human vulnerability. By understanding these connections, we can develop more effective strategies for addressing the challenges posed by climate change and building a more sustainable and resilient future for all. The future of Delhi-NCR, and indeed the world, depends on our collective action to address climate change and build a more sustainable and equitable society.
Source: Day after hailstorm, Delhi sees respite from heat as maximum temperature drops to 34.7°C