India, May 30 -- Phones across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) buzzed with alerts on Saturday evening. The text on screen for some people in Noida was titled 'Extremely severe alert'.

It said: "Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and fast winds (speed 60-80 km/h, to increase to 90 km/h) and moderate to heavy rain and hailstorm are likely at some places in your district during next 3 hours." Some got it in Hindi while others got a translated English version with it.

This came just as Delhi-NCR residents on Saturday received some relief from the scorching heat in the form of light rain, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed parts of the city and its adjoining areas under a red alert for thunderstorm as well ...