A weather alert has been issued for parts of India as thunderstorms, rain and hail are predicted to hit several areas across the country.
The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain and hailstorms for southern Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, northern Punjab and Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Western Himalayan Region and Madhya Pradesh over the next four days.
"The thunderstorm activity over most parts of the country is likely to continue till May 3 and reduce significantly thereafter from May 4," the IMD said.
It said the wet spell "over the entire country is likely to subside from May”.
Rain has already brought cooler weather in various states including in the capital Delhi, where a brief spell of rain on Monday brought the temperature down to 28°C — 10°C below the seasonal average.
In Tamil Nadu’s capital Chennai, many awoke to intense rain on Monday. It fell at a rate of nearly 8cm an hour in the Chromepet area.
Rough seas are expected off the state’s coast and authorities have advised fishermen to exercise caution.
Heavy rain also lashed areas of western Rajasthan, with Bhilwara region receiving the highest rainfall at 7cm.
India has recorded unprecedented heat for the past few years and the India Meteorological Department had earlier forecast an “enhanced probability” of heatwaves between March and May.
It recorded its hottest February, in the north-west, since records began in 1901, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the country’s preparedness to deal with hot weather, the readiness of states and hospital infrastructure for emergencies.
But a prolonged spell of rain as well as hail and thunderstorms damaged crops in northern states such as Punjab and Haryana — the breadbaskets of the country.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
