Latest news with #Nor'wester
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
One dead as Nor'wester causes havoc in Deogarh town, leaves a trail of damage
DEOGARH: A Nor'wester ripped through Deogarh town and its surrounding three blocks on Wednesday evening, leaving a trail of damage. The summer storm, accompanied by heavy rain, thunder and powerful wind struck around 5 pm, uprooting trees, snapping electric poles, and severely damaging houses and infrastructure. A 10-year-old girl, Smruti Behera of Chuakhola village under Kundheigola police limits died after being struck by lightning while she was out to relieve herself. She was rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) but declared dead on arrival. In a separate incident, Kajol Munda and her four-year-old son Shivaraj Munda were critically injured after a fallen tree struck their home at Mirigidia Sahi in Deogarh town. Similarly, one Sumant Liha of Nilberni Sahi suffered head injuries, while Jit Bhoj was hurt by lightning and hospitalised. Around 30 electric poles were uprooted mostly in Deogarh town and Tilebeni block villages, leaving roads blocked with fallen wires and debris, disrupting electricity supply across the district. The Ranchi-Vijayawada highway experienced traffic disruption for hours due to downed power lines and fallen trees blocking the key arterial route. The storm damaged old town areas around Petrol Pump Sahi, Nilberni Sahi, and Mirigidia Sahi, where temporary roofs were blown away. Houses suffered partial to severe damage as trees crashed onto rooftops. In Kalanda village under Tileibani block, asbestos roofs were stripped from houses while Kalamati and Sunamunda villages witnessed extensive roof damage. Following the storm, authorities including Deogarh municipal council's acting chairman Prajit Kumar Bhoj and executive officer Krupasindhu Swain visited the affected areas and victims late Wednesday evening. Fire service teams worked to clear fallen trees and debris to reopen roads. Power supply was restored to Deogarh town by this morning, with restoration work continuing in other areas.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Climate
- India.com
Delhi rains: What is causing unseasonal storms, heavy rainfall in Delhi-NCR? IMD says reason is...
Delhi was lashed by unseasonal heavy rains and thunderstorms on Saturday. (ANI/File) Delhi rains: Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) was hit by pre-monsoon heavy rains, accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms that brought relief to people from the sweltering summer heat. However, such type of weather is not usually expected in the months of April to mid-May before the onset of monsoon. Then, what is causing these unseasonal storms and heavy rains in the Delhi-NCR region? The answer lies in the now undeniable climate change, which has caused the Kalabaisakhi or Nor'wester– a pre-monsoon phenomenon which is commonly associated with Eastern India, but has now presumably expanded to the Northern region due to changing climate patterns, according to weather agencies. What is a Nor'wester aka Kalabaisakhi? Locally known as Kalbaisakhi, a Nor'wester is a pre-monsoon phenomenon that usually occurs in Eastern parts of the country, bringing sudden heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds and severe thunderstorms in states like West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, and Bihar, and some of parts of neighboring Bangladesh. The 'Nor'wester' is so named because storm usually moves from the northwest towards the east, while its local name 'Kalbaisakhi' loosely translates to 'calamity that strikes in the month of Baisakh (April-May). A Nor'wester or Kalbaisakhi storm is characterized by strong, powerful winds that can exceed 100 km/h, and move in a straight line akin to a Derecho– a wind pattern where winds move in a straight line unlike a Tornado, which is distinguished by its curly wind pattern. The pre-monsoon storm is often accompanied by sudden, heavy rainfall, which can trigger flash floods, akin to what was witnessed in Delhi-NCR on late Saturday night. What caused heavy rains, pre-monsoon storms in Delhi NCR? According to weather agencies, various weather phenomenon are responsible for Saturday's intense spell of heavy rains and thunderstorms in Delhi-NCR region such as western disturbances, which are low-pressure systems originating from the Mediterranean region that trigger unseasonal showers in north India, including the national capital. Additionally, upper cyclonic circulations over nearby over nearby regions like Haryana or Rajasthan, can lead to heavy rains and thunderstorms in Delhi-NCR. A recent spell of rains in Delhi-NCR is being attributed to this weather system. Apart from the above factors, other phenomenon such as convective systems, which are created by rapid upward movement of humid, moist air, can cause thunderstorms in Northern India. Further, the influence of monsoon trough starts increasing by late May when it moves south from its normal normal position, increasing moisture and contributing to stormy weather in the region.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Did an unlikely Kalbaisakhi hit Delhi on Sunday? What's behind unseasonal storm
Delhi-NCR has been occasionally experiencing heavy rain, accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms, for the past few days. Although the rain brings relief from the sweltering heat, it is not something expected in climate is changing and hence the parameters that are not commonly related to a particular region are changing rain and thunderstorms that caused havoc on Saturday-Sunday night in the entire Northwestern region could be Kalbaisakhi, which is more commonly an eastern region pre-monsoon phenomenon in the Western parts of the IS A KALBAISAKHI OR NOR'WESTER? A Nor'wester, also known as Kalbaishakhi, is a severe thunderstorm that occurs primarily during the pre-monsoon season in April and May in Eastern India, normally in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, and Bihar, and also in term "Nor'wester" reflects the storm's typical movement from the northwest towards the east. While "Kalbaisakhi" is a local name that translates to "calamity of the month of Baisakh" (April–May), highlighting its destructive OF A NOR'WESTER OR KALBAISAKHIStrong Winds: Nor'westers produce powerful straight-line winds, often exceeding 100 km/h, resembling the characteristics of a progressive derecho in some cases. Derecho is a wind pattern similar to the Tornado in which, unlike the curly winds of the Tornado, the wind moves in a straight Rainfall: These storms bring sudden, intense downpours, which can cause flash flooding. A similar kind of rain was witnessed in Delhi NCR late last night, around 2 and Tornadoes: Some Nor'westers produce hail or, rarely, tornadoes, adding to their destructive Echoes: On radar, they often show a bow-shaped pattern, indicative of organised convective FACTORS CAUSED RAIN IN DELHI-NCRSunday night's intense rainfall and thunderstorm activity with a high wind speed in Delhi-NCR could be linked to pre-monsoon weather systems. Multiple factors are working at the same time, which brought the entire system from Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir to parts of Uttar Pradesh via ARE THE FOUR FACTORS RESPONSIBLE:Western Disturbances: These are low-pressure systems originating from the Mediterranean region that can bring unseasonal rain to northern India, including Delhi-NCR. In May, they can interact with local heat and moisture, leading to thunderstorms and heavy rain. Here, a western disturbance combined with moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal caused significant rainfall in the Circulations: Upper air cyclonic circulations over nearby areas like Rajasthan or Haryana triggered convective activity. A cyclonic circulation over Haryana and Punjab, fuelled by moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, led to the spelling of heavy rain and hailstorms in Delhi-NCR. A similar system caused rain a few days ago earlier this Systems: Intense heat in the plains, combined with high humidity and moisture influx, created convective systems characterised by rapid upward movement of warm, moist air. A convective system over Northwest India moved southeast, causing Trough Influence: By late May, the monsoon trough also started influencing northern India, enhancing moisture influx and leading to pre-monsoon showers. The monsoon trough passes south of its normal position, increasing moisture and contributing to stormy weather in the region.A combination of these factors—potentially a western disturbance, cyclonic circulation, or convective activity fuelled by heat and moisture—caused the intense Watch
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Residents grapple with heat, humidity amid weakened nor'wester impact
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Residents of the capital city have been grappling with intense heat and humidity for the past few days. Despite conditions being ideal for a thunderstorm, no such weather activity was reported in the period. By 8:30 am on Wednesday, Bhubaneswar recorded a temperature of 33.6 degrees Celsius with 62.3% humidity, taking the heat index (real feel) to around 42C. By 11:30 am, the city was sweltering at 37.4C with humidity dropping to 48.7%, yet the heat index peaked at a dangerous 46C. The measure of discomfort felt due to increased heat and humidity is known as the heat index, sources said. "Cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and even Delhi and Kolkata are experiencing a new microclimate where urban heat islands , concrete expansion and loss of wetlands disrupt natural storm patterns," said Uma Shankar Das, weather scientist at IMD. Explaining the phenomenon in an X post, Das said, "The Kalbaisakhi or Nor'wester system is still active in the state, but its power diminishes drastically as it approaches the capital region. This is due to the dry, dust-laden, stable air layers hovering at 2-4 km height, which block vertical cloud development." The urban heat island effect creates localised high temperatures, altering air currents and storm behaviour, scientists said. It is disrupting both the intensity and path of thunderstorms, which may weaken, split or even bypass urban areas altogether. "I remember the summer storms a few years ago, which used to occur for a very short period with gusty wind, rain, and thunder, and that would suddenly cool down the entire city. Now, we wait endlessly for such relief," said Anuradha Sethi, a 58-year-old resident of Saheed Nagar. "The heat has become unbearable. It was impossible to stand outside for more than 10 minutes on Wednesday. The discomfort levels were very high with profuse sweating," said Tulika Panda, an MBA student. IMD has forecast an alert for rain and thundershower in 13 districts till May 25. "Several districts are witnessing rain and thundershower and temperature remained below normal. In coastal districts, moisture is being pulled from the Bay of Bengal leading to high humidity levels. In the capital city, the upper layer is dry while moisture is in the lower level, for which rainfall is not occurring," said Manorama Mohanty, director of IMD's regional centre here.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
15 killed in lightning strikes across Odisha in a single day
In one of the deadliest lightning-related incidents in recent years, 15 people were killed across Odisha on Friday as Nor'wester storms swept through the state, triggering widespread lightning strikes. According to the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the highest toll was reported from Koraput district, where four people lost their lives. Ganjam district reported three deaths, while two fatalities each were recorded in Nabarangpur, Jajpur, and Dhenkanal. One death each was reported from Rayagada, Cuttack, and Mayurbhanj districts. Over a dozen others were injured in the incidents. In Koraput district, four people were killed in two separate lightning strikes. In Paradiguda village under Odiapentha gram panchayat in Laxmipur block, Budri Mandinga (60), her granddaughter Kasa Mandinga (16), and Ambika Kashi (35) died instantly after being struck by lightning while taking shelter in a hut near their paddy field. Five others were injured in the same incident. In another case, Das Jani (32) of Khalpadi village in Semiliguda block died while fishing near Lenjiguda village. In Ganjam district, Rita Goud (30) of Kebiri Brahmapur under Belaguntha police station died after being struck by lightning in a mango orchard. In A. Barida village, 13-year-old Omprakash Pradhan was killed while playing cricket on the village playground. In Jajpur district, two children—Tara Hembram (9) and Jakhun Chatar (12)—died after being struck by lightning while playing in a field in Burusahi village under Anjira panchayat in Dharmasala block. Dhenkanal district reported the deaths of Surushi Biswal (40) from Kusumundia village under Mahabirod police station, who was struck while standing in front of her house, and Sanatan Dian (45) from Kabara village, who was hit while returning from the fields. In Mayurbhanj, Chunarama Kisko (31), a laborer from Kuting village under Udala police station, died after being struck by lightning while returning from the Uparbeda forest office. Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari expressed his condolences, calling the incident tragic. 'This was a natural disaster, and unfortunately such events do result in loss of lives. The department will provide compensation of ₹4 lakh to the families of the deceased. Post-mortem examinations are underway, and we are examining each case closely. To mitigate the impact of lightning in the future, we are working in coordination with the Forest Department on extensive tree plantation drives,' he said. Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in Odisha, accounting for between 200 and 400 fatalities annually, with 85% of incidents occurring between May and September. The coastal state records over six lakh lightning strikes each year and reported a staggering 1,418 lightning-related deaths between 2020 and 2025, making it the worst-affected state in India. In 2023–24, 212 people died due to lightning, while 297 deaths were recorded in 2022–23. Odisha's pre-monsoon and monsoon periods (March to July) create ideal conditions for thunderstorms, marked by high temperatures, humidity, and atmospheric instability. The state's coastal and hilly terrain, coupled with the influence of the Chhotanagpur Plateau, further intensifies cloud-to-ground lightning activity. Research shows that 15% of lightning strikes actually reach the ground, posing a direct threat to people caught outdoors. As part of its mitigation strategy, the state has planted over 19 lakh palm trees since 2023. These trees, known for their height and conductive properties, are being used as natural lightning rods, although their effectiveness remains under evaluation.
