Unusual weather in North India this March has not only brought back "jacket-like" conditions but also triggered a wave of viral claims online. At the centre of these conversations is an unexpected name, Bill Gates, with social media posts linking him to the sudden spell of rain and storms.

As heavy showers and thunderstorms swept across parts of North India, several posts began suggesting that artificial weather manipulation was behind the change. Some users even alleged that it was connected to experiments linked to Bill Gates.

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These claims, however, remain unverified and misleading, even as they continue to circulate widely.

Cloud seeding and the confusion

Much of the confusion stems from cloud seeding, a real scientific method used in some countries to enhance rainfall. It involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide or salt into clouds.

However, experts note that cloud seeding has limited impact and depends on existing weather conditions. It cannot create storms or influence large-scale systems like Western Disturbances.

Scientists emphasise that there is no credible evidence linking any individual to controlling weather events. Instead, they point to climate change as a key factor behind such unusual patterns.

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Rising temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture, which can lead to heavier and more frequent rainfall. This is seen as a more likely explanation for the current spell of rain across North India.

What is actually causing the weather shift

The current conditions are being driven by a strong Western Disturbance passing through the region. This system, originating from the Mediterranean, is known to bring rain and storms to North India during winter months.

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A recent weather alert warned that the next few hours were critical due to an intense trough line moving across Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Moderate to heavy rainfall has been forecast, with conditions expected to improve by evening. Hill regions are also witnessing snowfall, while rainfall activity is set to increase in eastern states like Bihar and Jharkhand.

The widespread showers have made it feel like a "mini monsoon" in March, an unusual but not unprecedented occurrence.