Nagpur, India: After days of relentless heat, Nagpur and several districts in Vidarbha finally received a welcome break as thunderstorms, gusty winds, and light rain swept through the region on Friday afternoon.

The city, which had recorded a high of 40.6°C earlier in the day, witnessed a sharp dip in temperature as overcast skies and strong winds moved in. The sudden change in weather brought immediate relief to residents, who had been enduring harsh summer conditions. However, the gusty winds also stirred up dust and caused visibility issues for over an hour. A few trees were reportedly uprooted in parts of the city, though no major damage was reported.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for all districts in Vidarbha, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light to moderate rainfall over the next three days. Citizens have been advised to remain cautious, especially during periods of strong winds and lightning activity.

Neighbouring districts such as Amravati, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Akola, Washim, Yavatmal, and Chandrapur also reported cooler weather, with maximum temperatures falling to around 36–37°C. Washim recorded 1.9 mm of rainfall, while light showers were observed in scattered parts of the region.

According to the IMD, the weather change has been caused by a trough extending from Telangana to the Gulf of Mannar, which is influencing atmospheric activity across central India.

The shift in weather comes as a much-needed relief for farmers and residents alike, offering a brief respite from the ongoing heatwave and raising hopes for more consistent pre-monsoon showers in the days ahead.