In May 2025, North India experienced fatal thunderstorms attributed to an unusual mix of atmospheric conditions. Key contributors included western disturbances, moisture influx from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, Arctic heating, and a trough system. This combination led to severe air instability, resulting in widespread thunder and dust storms.
Western disturbances are extratropical storms that originate in the Mediterranean region. Typically, they travel eastward and impact India during the winter months. However, the persistence of these disturbances into late summer (April to June) this year has been abnormal, creating unstable weather patterns across the region.
Record temperatures in the Arctic, reaching 27°C at the Arctic Circle, are disrupting jet streams and pushing cold air southward. This alteration is linked to unpredictable weather patterns worldwide, including more intense cyclonic activities and heightened thunderstorm occurrences in India.
The interaction between warm seas, specifically the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, and cooler air from western disturbances is particularly hazardous. The warm seas release significant moisture, and when this moist air meets the cooler air, it creates strong updrafts, leading to the formation of thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds.
A trough, which is a low-pressure area, helps concentrate atmospheric instability. In this scenario, a trough extending from Punjab to northeast Madhya Pradesh acted as a conduit for storm activity, particularly impacting the Delhi-NCR region and its surroundings.
The thunderstorms resulted in at least 59 fatalities across two states. The city of Delhi recorded wind speeds reaching 75 km/h and experienced a significant temperature drop from 37°C to 23°C. The storms caused delays and diversions in flights, with rainfall disrupting daily activities.
Experts express concerns that continued warming in remote regions like the Arctic, coupled with the frequent presence of western disturbances, could lead to permanent alterations in India's seasonal weather patterns. This shift may disrupt the monsoon season and increase the risk of disasters.
Authorities must adapt to the increasing likelihood of weather-related disasters, extending beyond the traditional monsoon season. Implementing early warning systems, issuing public advisories, and ensuring infrastructure readiness are crucial. The unpredictable nature of these events also calls for revised strategies in agriculture, transportation, and urban planning.
There is an urgent need for India to incorporate climate variability into both urban planning and rural risk management. Enhancing the forecasting tools of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), developing climate-resilient infrastructure, and improving coordination among state-level disaster responses are vital steps in addressing these challenges.
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