India, May 13 -- India is witnessing one of the sharpest weather contrasts of the season while scorching heat continues to dominate western and central states, thunderstorms, hailstorms and heavy rainfall are disrupting life across northern and eastern India. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures have already crossed 45degC in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, while intense thunderstorms swept through Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.

The changing weather pattern has raised concerns over public health, crop damage, travel disruptions and rising electricity demand while at the same time, early monsoon signals are beginning to emerge over the southern Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

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