A hailstorm is a severe weather event in which balls or irregular lumps of ice, known as hailstones, fall from powerful thunderstorm clouds called Cumulonimbus clouds. According to the India Meteorological Department, hailstorms usually develop during intense thunderstorms with strong updraft winds that carry raindrops high into extremely cold layers of the atmosphere, where they freeze into ice.
As these frozen pellets move up and down within the storm cloud, they grow larger before eventually falling to the ground. Most hailstorms last less than 15 minutes, but they can cause major destruction in a short time.
Hailstorms are considered severe when hailstones grow larger than one inch in diameter and are accompanied by strong winds exceeding 58 mph. The combination of hail and high winds can damage homes, shatter windows, dent vehicles, and destroy crops. In rural areas, hailstorms often hit farmers the hardest, damaging standing crops, livestock shelters, and orchards. In cities, they can disrupt traffic, damage rooftops, and lead to water damage when heavy rain follows broken windows or roofs.
India tracks hailstorm patterns through long-term climatological data to identify vulnerable districts and improve disaster preparedness. These storms are most common during periods of unstable weather and sharp temperature contrasts in the atmosphere.
The Indian Air Force assisted the turbulence-hit IndiGo flight after Pakistan refused permission to enter its airspace, according to sources.
The DGCA has confirmed that Pakistan refused airspace access to an IndiGo flight encountering severe turbulence. The Delhi-Srinagar flight, with 227 passengers, requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to briefly use Pakistan's airspace while flying over Amritsar. Despite the potential risk to lives, Pakistan rejected the request. The aircraft maintained its original flight path, facing consequences that could have been more severe.
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar encountered severe turbulence and a hailstorm mid-air. The pilot's request to enter Pakistan airspace to avoid the turbulence was rejected. Despite the challenges, the flight landed safely at Srinagar airport with all 200 passengers, including MPs, unharmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation into the incident.
An Indigo flight from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a severe hailstorm, causing visible damage to the aircraft's nose. Passengers captured videos of the chaotic scene inside the cabin, with the plane shaking violently and people chanting prayers. The aircraft managed to land safely in Srinagar with no injuries reported. The incident occurred during India's pre-monsoon season, known for severe thunderstorms. Experts discuss the challenges faced by pilots in such weather conditions and the need for better adherence to weather warnings.
Passengers onboard IndiGo flight 6E-2142 from Delhi to Srinagar experienced a terrifying ordeal mid-air as the aircraft was caught in a severe hailstorm. The turbulence was so intense that it damaged the nose cone of the plane. A dramatic video shot by a passenger captures the chaos inside the cabin — shaky visuals, jolting movements, and a chilling cry for "Help, help" from one of the fliers. Watch the tense moments as the flight battled the storm before landing safely.
A surprise hail storm hit the Mexican city of Puebla on Friday (May 24), covering the streets with thick sheets of ice amid scorching temperatures that baked the country.
Delhi witnessed heavy rain, along with hailstorm in several parts on Saturday. Hailstorm lashed Delhi's Burari, Keshav Nagar and Ibrahimpur areas on Saturday. The rain brought respite from the humid weather. The national capital also witnessed cloudy skies and chilly winds. The Indian Meteorological department on Friday said that most parts of the country would witness rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms from March 17 to March 20.
Karnataka’s Kalaburagi witnessed hailstorm on Friday evening. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers today.
A woman forest guard enjoyed and danced to the rains at Odisha's Similipal forest as the national park received rainfall and hailstorm on Thursday. The video of the incident has gone viral. For more, watch the full video.
Delhi received a spell of rainfall on Saturday and Sunday morning, leading to water-logging in many areas. An average of 25.1 mm rainfall has been recorded in the past 24 hours. The IMD had predicted thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall over parts of Delhi, including South Delhi areas like Ayanagar, Dera Mandi, Tughlakabad for today. The IMD has predicted a hailstorm on Monday, when the intensity of the current western disturbance would be the highest.
Delhi lashed by rain and hailstorm on Friday. It could trigger the onset of an early winter in northern India.
Strong winds accompanied by hailstorm and rains take Delhiites by surprise this evening.
