Delhi-NCR heavy rainfall: IMD yellow alert, 5-day forecast issued
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Delhi-NCR under a yellow alert following heavy rainfall across the national capital on Wednesday, 8 July, with forecasts of continued rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds persisting over the next five days. The warning signals an active monsoon phase gripping the region with varying intensity.
Current Weather Conditions
Delhi recorded heavy downpours through Wednesday morning, with the IMD projecting generally cloudy skies for both Wednesday and Thursday. Intermittent spells of light rain, isolated moderate showers, thunderstorms, and lightning are expected, accompanied by winds blowing at 30–40 kmph with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph.
Neighbouring Gurugram continued to bear the brunt of the monsoon surge, with intense overnight showers triggering widespread waterlogging, localised flooding, and significant traffic disruptions across the city.
Day-by-Day Forecast for Delhi
On 9 July, the capital is likely to see light to moderate rainfall at isolated locations, with thunderstorms and strong winds expected during the morning and forenoon hours. A secondary spell of very light to light rain is also anticipated during the night, according to the IMD.
The weather agency is expected to downgrade the alert to a Green Alert — indicating no significant weather warning — on 10 July and 11 July. However, cloudy skies are likely to persist on both days, with the possibility of very light to light rainfall and thunderstorms during the forenoon or afternoon.
IMD Advisory for Residents
The IMD has urged Delhi-NCR residents to exercise caution during thunderstorms and spells of strong winds over the next three days. Officials have advised people to stay indoors or avoid open spaces during peak weather activity, as unstable atmospheric conditions are expected to continue across the region. This comes amid a broader active monsoon pattern that has intensified across northern India in recent days.
Impact on the Region
Waterlogging and traffic snarls have emerged as the most immediate concerns for commuters in Delhi and Gurugram. Notably, urban flooding during the monsoon season has been a recurring challenge for Delhi-NCR, with drainage infrastructure repeatedly tested by high-intensity short-duration rainfall events. Authorities are expected to remain on standby as the monsoon continues its active phase through the week.