Delhi Weather: IMD Issues Red Alert For Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms And Lightning

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Delhi on Friday as dark clouds covered the national capital, disrupting movement and affecting people out for Janmashtami celebrations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert warning of intense rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds later in the day. The sudden showers prompted people on the streets to seek shelter as rainfall intensified across parts of the city.

The downpour coincided with Janmashtami celebrations in several areas, with rain-soaked roads and umbrellas visible across the capital. People caught outdoors rushed to nearby shelters as the weather deteriorated. The sudden change in conditions added to difficulties for those travelling through the city during the festival, particularly as the weather office forecast further spells of rain and thunderstorms through the evening.

According to the IMD’s three-hourly rainfall data, Palam recorded 3.4 mm of rain between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm, while Najafgarh received 0.5 mm between 8.30 am and 11.30 am. Most other monitoring stations recorded no rainfall during the corresponding observation periods. The rainfall distribution indicated that the showers were uneven across different parts of the national capital.

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In its short-range forecast issued at 2.15 pm, the IMD forecast light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning at many places between 2.15 pm and 4.15 pm, with heavy rainfall likely at isolated locations. Another spell of light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, was expected at most places between 5 pm and 8 pm, with heavy rain possible at isolated places during this period.

The weather office also forecast moderate rainfall at most places during the next three hours, with heavy rainfall of 50-100 mm likely at a few locations. The spell was expected to be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph. The combination of intense rain, lightning and gusty winds prompted the red alert as authorities remained watchful of weather-related disruptions.

The forecast comes as Delhi observes Janmashtami, when large numbers of people traditionally visit temples and participate in religious programmes. With additional rainfall and thunderstorms expected through the evening, residents and visitors were advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions. The IMD’s warning highlighted the possibility of intense weather in isolated areas even as rainfall remained variable across the city’s monitoring stations.

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