Delhi-NCR heavy rain brings relief; IMD forecasts more showers till August 15
Synopsis
Delhi-NCR's monsoon turned record-breaking on 8 August, with 98.7 mm of rain in 24 hours — the highest single-day August tally in two years. The IMD forecasts more showers through 15 August, but warns that humidity relief will be limited as temperatures hold steady and air quality at North Campus spikes to 287.
Key Takeaways
Delhi-NCR received heavy rainfall on 10 August , continuing an intermittent spell that began on 8 August .
8 August recorded 98.7 mm of rainfall in 24 hours — the highest single-day August rainfall in two years .
The IMD forecasts light to very light rainfall across Delhi through 15 August , with wind speeds of 10–15 kmph .
Maximum temperatures are expected to remain near 34°C ; humidity relief will be partial, according to meteorologists.
Waterlogging and traffic congestion were reported across several Delhi-NCR localities over the weekend.
North Campus recorded the highest AQI of 287 on Monday; overall city air quality remained in the moderate category.
Delhi-NCR was lashed by heavy rainfall on Monday, 10 August, delivering a welcome respite from days of oppressive heat and humidity. The showers, part of an intermittent spell that has persisted since Friday, 8 August, have pulled daytime temperatures down and brought noticeably pleasant conditions across the national capital region.
IMD Forecast for the Week
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very light rainfall over Delhi on 12 and 13 August, with one or two spells expected during that window. Overall precipitation during this period is likely to remain limited. Wind directions are set to shift — from northeast-to-southwest on 12 August to northwest-to-west on 13 August — with speeds ranging between 10 and 15 kmph.
Light to very light rainfall is further expected on 14 and 15 August, with westerly winds on the 14th giving way to northwesterly winds on Independence Day. Maximum temperatures are projected to remain largely unchanged over the next seven days, according to IMD data, meaning the humidity relief may be partial at best.
Record Rainfall on August 8
The standout event of this wet spell was Saturday, 8 August, which recorded 98.7 mm of rainfall in the preceding 24 hours as of Sunday morning — the highest single-day August rainfall in the city in the last two years and the wettest August day since 2024. Meteorologists described it as the rainiest day of the month in recent memory.
The minimum temperature in the capital stood at 26.5 degrees Celsius, while the maximum hovered around 34 degrees Celsius. Cloud cover persisted through the day, with light to moderate rainfall reported at isolated locations.
Traffic and Waterlogging Disruptions
While the rainfall has provided temperature relief, it has also triggered significant disruptions. Several localities across Delhi-NCR reported severe traffic congestion and waterlogging over the weekend. Despite being only the first half of August, the region has already endured a prolonged and intense monsoon spell — an unusual intensity for this early in the month.
Meteorologists have cautioned that the lighter showers forecast for the remainder of the week are unlikely to provide significant humidity relief, as temperatures are expected to stay relatively elevated.
Air Quality Across Delhi
Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate category on Monday, with notable variation across monitoring stations. North Campus recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) reading at 287, followed by Anand Vihar at 157. Other stations reported comparatively lower readings: Chandni Chowk at 88, IIT Delhi at 93, ITO at 86, Narela at 79, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 75, Patparganj at 65, Pusa at 63, and JNU at 59. Despite the recent downpours, rain alone has not been sufficient to push air quality into the satisfactory range across the city.
With cloudy skies and intermittent showers expected to persist through the week, residents can anticipate continued but moderate relief — though the IMD's outlook suggests the humidity battle is far from over.
Point of View
But it masks a familiar Delhi paradox: heavy rain brings neither clean air nor clear roads. North Campus's AQI of 287 on a rainy day underscores how structurally compromised the city's air shed is. More telling is the IMD's quiet caveat that temperatures will stay largely unchanged through the week — meaning this monsoon burst is cooling the optics more than the city itself. Delhi's drainage infrastructure, perennially overwhelmed by moderate downpours, remains the real story that each monsoon season reliably exposes.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rainfall did Delhi record on 8 August 2025?
Delhi recorded 98.7 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours preceding Sunday morning, 10 August — the highest single-day August rainfall in two years and the wettest August day since 2024.
What does the IMD forecast for Delhi this week?
The IMD forecasts very light rainfall on 12 and 13 August, followed by light to very light showers on 14 and 15 August. Wind speeds are expected to remain between 10 and 15 kmph, with maximum temperatures largely unchanged over the next seven days.
Did the rain improve Delhi's air quality?
Only partially. Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate category on 10 August, with North Campus recording a high AQI of 287 and Anand Vihar at 157, despite the recent downpours.
What disruptions did the heavy rain cause in Delhi-NCR?
The rainfall triggered severe traffic congestion and waterlogging in several localities across Delhi-NCR over the weekend. The disruptions were notable given the intensity of the spell for the first half of August.
Will the rain bring relief from humidity in Delhi?
Meteorologists have cautioned that the lighter showers forecast for the rest of the week are unlikely to provide significant humidity relief, as daytime temperatures are expected to remain near 34°C.
