Hailstorms, rain to hit North India on Wednesday. Read latest forecast

Rain and thunderstorms are likely to affect several parts of North India on Wednesday, October 14, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting hailstorms in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu.The weather activity comes as the southwest monsoon continues to withdraw from the country, while conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of the northeast monsoon over southern India in the next two days, according to the IMD's latest forecast. People take cover during a hailstorm and rain. (Photo: PTI) DELHI TO SEE RAIN AND HAILSTORMSDelhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab are likely to receive fairly widespread rainfall on October 14, meaning rain is expected across several places in these regions. The weather department has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places across Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.Hailstorms are likely at isolated places in these regions, as well as Himachal Pradesh and West Rajasthan. Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and adjoining areas are also likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall. Himachal Pradesh could see thunderstorms and lightning, while parts of Rajasthan may experience thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds. A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD) The unsettled weather is expected to continue on October 15, with rainfall and hailstorm activity forecast in several parts of North India, including Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.SOUTHERN STATES PREPARE FOR MORE RAINSouthern India will also see significant weather activity, particularly Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, where isolated heavy rainfall is likely on October 14.Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected at isolated places.Rainfall is forecast to intensify over the coming days. From October 15 to 19, fairly widespread to widespread rain is likely across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, as well as Kerala and Mahe. A pedestrian on a flooded road during rain, in Kochi, Kerala. (Photo: PTI) Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other parts of the southern peninsula are also expected to receive rain during this period.The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on October 14.Hot and humid conditions are likely to persist in isolated areas of coastal Karnataka and Konkan and Goa.SOUTHWEST MONSOON NEARS COMPLETE EXITThe IMD said conditions are becoming favourable for the further withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the remaining parts of the country over the next two days. People wade through a flooded road during monsoon rain. (Photo: PTI) The transition is expected to coincide with the commencement of northeast monsoon rainfall over southern India.Unlike the southwest monsoon, which brings India's principal rainy season from June to September, the northeast monsoon is particularly important for Tamil Nadu and parts of southeastern India, where it contributes a substantial share of annual rainfall.The latest forecast points to a shift in India's weather pattern, with rain and thunderstorms continuing over parts of the north even as the seasonal rainfall focus begins moving towards the southern peninsula.- Ends