Delhi-NCR yellow alert: IMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms for 29-30 July
Synopsis
Delhi-NCR's heat index hit nearly 49°C on Monday even as light rain fell — a sign of how humidity is rewriting the city's weather stress. With the monsoon trough now parked close to the capital and a yellow alert in force for two days, a 5–6°C temperature drop is on the cards, but the city's rain total still trails the July normal by 9 mm.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi-NCR on 29 and 30 July , warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 5–6°C as monsoon activity intensifies.
Delhi's July rainfall stands at 164.7 mm , below the normal of 173.7 mm for the period.
The heat index reached nearly 49°C on Monday, with humidity between 76% and 100% .
The yellow alert extends to Noida , Gurugram , and Ghaziabad ; rainfall likely to continue on 31 July without a formal alert.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi-NCR on Tuesday, 29 July and Wednesday, 30 July 2025, warning of intermittent rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds as monsoon activity intensifies across the national capital region. Residents woke on Tuesday to overcast skies and light showers — the clearest sign yet that the season's grip on the city is tightening.
What the IMD Has Forecast
Weather officials expect light rain at many locations across the NCR over the next two days, with moderate showers possible in a few pockets. Rainfall is also likely to persist into Thursday, 31 July, though no formal alert has been issued for that day. The yellow alert covers Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad alongside Delhi, with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds expected across all these districts.
Temperature Relief on the Way
Meteorologists say the fresh rain spell is expected to pull daytime temperatures down by 5–6 degrees Celsius, bringing significant relief after days of oppressive heat and humidity. On Monday, the maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 38.1°C — 3.2 degrees above normal — while the minimum stood at 28.6°C, 1.3 degrees above average. Humidity fluctuated between 76% and 100%, and the heat index climbed to nearly 49°C, making conditions feel far more punishing than the actual mercury reading.
Rainfall So Far This Month
Delhi has recorded 164.7 mm of rainfall in July so far, slightly short of the monthly normal of 173.7 mm for the corresponding period. Weather experts, however, believe the deficit could narrow in the remaining days as monsoon conditions become more favourable. The monsoon trough is currently positioned close to Delhi, creating conditions conducive to sustained rainfall through the week.
Context and Background
Monday evening's showers had already offered some respite from the humidity that had gripped the city for several days, prompting the IMD to issue its first yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds across Delhi's districts. This comes amid a broader pattern of erratic monsoon distribution this season — with the capital oscillating between rain deficits and intense short-duration spells rather than steady, prolonged rainfall. Notably, the NCR's heat index touching 49°C underscores how humidity amplification has become a recurring urban weather stress in recent summers.
What to Watch
Commuters and residents across Delhi-NCR should anticipate waterlogging-prone stretches during heavy spells and disruption to traffic. The IMD is expected to review and update alerts as the monsoon trough's position evolves. If rainfall remains active through the week, July's overall total could align with or exceed the seasonal normal before the month closes.
Point of View
Where dense construction and reduced green cover amplify feels-like temperatures even when rain is falling. The IMD's yellow alert is routine, but the underlying data — humidity touching 100%, temperatures 3 degrees above normal in late July — points to a structural shift in the capital's summer weather profile that seasonal forecasts alone cannot address. The 9 mm rainfall deficit is recoverable, but the city's drainage and heat-mitigation infrastructure will face the real test if the monsoon trough delivers the heavier spells it is now positioned to produce.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the IMD yellow alert for Delhi-NCR mean?
A yellow alert from the IMD signals that residents should 'be aware' of potentially disruptive weather. For Delhi-NCR on 29 and 30 July, it specifically warns of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and intermittent to moderate rainfall across the region, including Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad.
How much will temperatures drop in Delhi due to the rain?
Meteorologists expect daytime temperatures to decline by 5–6 degrees Celsius as the fresh monsoon spell takes hold. Monday's maximum was 38.1°C, so the relief could bring highs closer to seasonal normals over the next two days.
How much rainfall has Delhi received in July 2025?
Delhi has recorded 164.7 mm of rainfall in July so far, slightly below the monthly normal of 173.7 mm for the same period. Weather experts expect the shortfall to narrow as monsoon conditions strengthen through the end of the month.
Why did Delhi's heat index reach 49°C even with rain?
The heat index — which combines actual temperature with humidity — climbed to nearly 49°C on Monday because humidity levels reached as high as 100%, even as light rain fell. The maximum temperature of 38.1°C combined with extreme moisture made conditions feel far hotter than the thermometer reading.
Will it rain in Delhi beyond Wednesday?
The IMD expects rainfall activity to continue on Thursday, 31 July, though no formal yellow alert has been issued for that day. The monsoon trough is currently positioned close to Delhi, suggesting sustained rain is possible through the week.
