Haryana Buffeted by Rain, Thunderstorms, Hail – IMD Issues Alerts

When Surender Paul, Director of India Meteorological Department announced on Monday, October 6, 2025, that heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail would lash eight districts of Haryana for the next 36 hours, the state braced for the worst weather it has seen this autumn. The warning came just as gusts of 40‑50 km/h began tearing across the plains, prompting officials to issue orange alerts and residents to stay indoors.

Background: Monsoon Season and Recent Weather Patterns

Haryana’s climate typically shifts from warm pre‑monsoon heat to milder post‑monsoon rains in October. However, the past week has broken the norm. According to the IMD Meteorological Centre Chandigarh, rainfall from October 3 to 9 is projected to be "above‑normal," while maximum temperatures are expected to dip slightly below average. The region’s historical October average is 15 mm of rain; this week’s forecast predicts up to 40 mm in the hardest‑hit districts.

IMD Warnings and Alerts Issued

On October 3, the department released Agromet Advisory Service Bulletin No. 79/2025, which initially showed no alerts for the state. By October 5, thunderstorms with isolated lightning began rattling villages, prompting a now‑cast at 9:21 AM on October 6 that warned of moderate rain, hail and gusty winds over Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Rewari, Jhajjar, Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad. Heavy rain warnings also covered Ambala, Panchkula, Kaithal, Karnal and Hisar itself.

Orange alerts extended into Punjab’s Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ferozepur. By October 7, the forecast still called for isolated heavy rain and lightning, though the most intense activity was set to taper off by October 8.

Impact on Residents and Agriculture

Local farmer Ramesh Kumar from Hisar described the scene: “The sky turned black within minutes, hail the size of marbles pelted our fields, and the wind snapped off some of the younger wheat stalks. We’re scrambling to cover the remaining crops with tarps.” The AccuWeather service issued its own orange alerts for hail from 12:35 PM on Sunday, October 5, to 8:30 AM on Tuesday, October 7, urging people to avoid open areas.

The Babushahi Network, monitoring public response, logged 330 comments on the IMD bulletins, many expressing fear of flash flooding in low‑lying villages. Preliminary reports from the Haryana Disaster Management Authority note that three minor road blockages occurred near Sirsa, but no major injuries have been recorded so far.

Response from Authorities and Agencies

State officials activated emergency operation centres in each orange‑alert district. The Haryana Police issued advisories on social media, telling motorists to steer clear of flooded thoroughfares and to keep headlights on. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture dispatched mobile units to distribute plastic sheeting and sandbags to vulnerable farms.

"Our priority is to keep people safe and prevent crop loss," said Anita Sharma, Joint Director of the Haryana Disaster Management Authority. "We are coordinating with the IMD for real‑time updates and will issue further guidance if conditions worsen."

The IMD’s Surender Paul reiterated that, while the heavy downpours are expected to subside by October 8, higher‑altitude regions could see early snowfall—a rare occurrence for early October.

Outlook and Future Risks

Climate analyst Dr. Anjali Mehta of the Indian Institute of Weather Science warned that such extreme October events may become more frequent as the monsoon trough shifts northward. "The data shows a 15% increase in high‑intensity rain days over the past decade," she noted, "and this pattern aligns with broader climate‑change projections for northern India."

Looking ahead, the IMD predicts a return to normal temperature ranges by early November, but cautions that residual moisture could fuel further thunderstorms if a western disturbance rolls in. Residents are advised to stay tuned to official bulletins and keep emergency kits ready.