Pre-monsoon weather activity intensified across several states on Tuesday, with rain, thunderstorms and hailstorms reported in southern, northern and eastern regions. The weather system brought down daytime temperatures in parts of Karnataka and Telangana, while authorities issued alerts for further activity in northern states.
The change in weather marked the season's first pre-monsoon spell in Karnataka, with Bengaluru recording heavy rain, lightning and strong winds, followed by a short hailstorm. The impact was visible in temperatures, with the city recording 32.3 degree Celsius, while HAL airport recorded 32 degree Celsius after a similar decline.
According to a Deccan Herald report, areas such as Sanjayanagar, Yelahanka and Devanahalli reported hailstorms. Other parts of Bengaluru, including Konanakunte, Kanakapura Road, RR Nagar, Banashankari 6th Stage, Sampigehalli, Kathriguppe, Horamavu and central areas, recorded steady rainfall through the evening. Outside the capital, Machapur and nearby villages in Dharwad district also reported a severe hailstorm. Videos and photos circulated online, with users describing the conditions as a "mini-Kashmir".
IMD Bengaluru head N Puviarasan told Deccan Herald that "the hailstorm phase remained brief."
ALSO READ: Kolkata School Faces NHRC Notice After Girls Dance In Towels Go Viral, Spark Row
The India Meteorological Department said light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected on March 18 across several Karnataka districts, including Bengaluru Urban and Rural, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Mandya, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Kodagu, Davangere, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar. A similar pattern was observed in Telangana, where overnight rainfall affected Hyderabad and other districts. Thunderstorms and hailstorms were reported in Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Adilabad, Asifabad, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Karimnagar and Jangaon.
Among the highest rainfall figures, Dahegaon in Komarambheem Asifabad recorded 75.8 mm, followed by Kulkacherla in Vikarabad with 56.8 mm. Bela in Adilabad recorded 53.8 mm, while Revally in Wanaparthy and Jharasangam in Sangareddy recorded 50.3 mm and 49.3 mm, respectively.
Within Hyderabad, rainfall remained lower, with Serilingampally recording 12.5 mm, followed by Kukatpally, Quthubullapur and Khiaratabad. The showers led to a drop in temperatures across the city. The IMD said temperatures in Hyderabad are likely to remain around 34 degree Celsius during the day and 19 degree Celsius at night, with light south-easterly winds. Telangana Weatherman T Balaji said in a post on X that "moderate rains" are expected in some districts, along with "severe thunderstorms in East Telangana districts."
ALSO READ: Centre Unveils Big Air Travel Reforms: 60% Free Seats, Flight Delay Compensation And Mor
Telangana Weatherman, T Balaji in an ‘X' post, predicted moderate rains in a few districts and severe thunderstorms in East Telangana districts.
In northern India, weather alerts are in place for Himachal Pradesh. An orange alert for hailstorms is in place for March 18 and 19, while a yellow alert warning of heavy rain and snowfall has been issued for March 20. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-60 kmph are expected to affect Shimla, Solan and nearby regions. Similar hailstorm alerts have been issued for Kullu and Mandi, while Chamba, Kangra and Kullu are under warning for rain and snowfall.
Districts including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Sirmaur and Mandi are also likely to experience thunderstorms and gusty winds. Higher-altitude areas such as Lahaul and Spiti, along with parts of Kullu, Chamba and Kinnaur, have recorded snowfall since Monday evening.
In eastern India, a separate hailstorm linked to Kalbaisakhi conditions affected villages in Odisha's Kalahandi district. According to a Kalinga TV report, areas under Kokasara block, including Ladugaon, Baradonga and Ampani, reported damage to crops and houses due to strong winds and hailstones measuring up to 4-5 inches.
ALSO READ: Gudi Padwa, Ugadi 2026 Bank Holiday: Are Banks Closed On March 19 In Your State?
Weather Driver
The IMD said the ongoing weather activity is due to fresh western disturbances affecting northwestern and central parts of the country.
Outlook
The IMD said temperatures are expected to remain normal to below normal through the week, with "no heatwave" conditions anticipated. The weather office also forecast rainfall over northeastern regions, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir on March 19 and 20.
It added that isolated hailstorms are likely in Himachal Pradesh on March 18 and 19, while Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan may see similar conditions between March 19 and 20. Central India is expected to witness thunderstorms with gusty winds until March 21, along with hailstorms in Chhattisgarh on March 18 and 19, Vidarbha on March 18, Madhya Pradesh on March 20, and parts of West Bengal, Sikkim and Odisha between March 20 and 21.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.