NEW DELHI:  The Indian Meteorological Department  (IMD), predicted a major decrease in rainfall, thunderstorm, and hailstorm over Northwest and East India beginning today, March 21.

As per weather office's official statement, rainfall and distribution will significantly reduce till March 22. Nevertheless, starting on March 23, a new period of rainfall and thunderstorm is said to begin over North West India. IMD has forecast light to moderate rain for Northeast India today. Between the 20–23 March, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Northeast India should expect widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall activity, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.

In the next three to four hours, Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts are expected to see thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rain, and gusty gusts. "Isolated thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rain, and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are highly likely to occur in the districts of Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad over the next 3 to 4 hours, "It read.

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya will likely have isolated, heavy rains from March 20–22, as will Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from March 20–21, according to the weather office.

"Over and adjacent areas of Karnal, Gannaur (Haryana), Gangoh, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnaur, Khatauli, Sakoti Tanda, Hastinapur, Daurala, Meerut, and Sambhal (U.P.) may get light to moderate intensity rain during the next two hours," said IMD.

In Delhi, the IMD has predicted generally cloudy skies with the possibility of very light rain or drizzle. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 26 and 16 degrees Celsius, respectively.

IMD forecasts light-to-moderate intensity rainfall in these states

JAMMU: Rainfall, thunderstorm likely during next 72-hrs