India, April 30 -- Heavy rains, gusty winds and hailstorms swept across Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad on Thursday, bringing brief relief from the heat and confirming the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) orange alert.

Several parts of Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad witnessed intense rain, strong winds, dark clouds and reduced visibility during the day. The IMD had earlier warned of an orange alert in both the districts, indicating thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

The maximum temperature in both the districts settled at 36.2degC, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 24.5degC in Gautam Budh Nagar and 25.3degC in Ghaziabad. The rain eased heat conditions, especially during the evening.

"The weather changed ve...