Delhi-NCR yellow alert: IMD forecasts heavy rain, thunderstorms for 5 days
Synopsis
The IMD has put Delhi-NCR on yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the most intense spell expected between Tuesday and Wednesday. While Sunday and Monday bring lighter showers, residents in Noida and Ghaziabad face a separate yellow alert on 28-29 July — a week that could test the capital region's perennially strained drainage infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for parts of Delhi-NCR , warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
Delhi can expect very light to light rain on 27-28 July , intensifying to moderate showers with thunderstorms from 29 July .
Noida and Ghaziabad are under a yellow alert for 28 and 29 July , with heavy rainfall and lightning risk flagged.
Gurugram faces unsettled weather with intermittent rain spells across all five days through 30 July .
The IMD has warned of waterlogging, traffic congestion, and reduced visibility during heavy rainfall periods.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued wet weather across Delhi-NCR over the next five days starting 26 July, with light showers giving way to moderate and heavy rainfall by mid-week. The weather office has issued a yellow alert for several parts of the National Capital Region, warning residents of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
Current Weather Conditions
Scattered rainfall was recorded across several parts of Delhi during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, with light showers continuing at various locations through Saturday. The precipitation offered temporary relief from persistent humid conditions that have gripped the capital this monsoon season.
Day-by-Day Forecast for Delhi
The IMD has predicted very light to light rainfall for Delhi on Sunday, 27 July and Monday, 28 July. Weather activity is expected to intensify significantly from Tuesday, 29 July, with the department issuing a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday. Moderate rainfall accompanied by cloudy skies and isolated thunderstorms is likely during this period, according to the forecast.
Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad Outlook
Noida is expected to remain relatively calm on 26 July, with partly cloudy skies and no significant rainfall. Rain activity is likely to pick up from 27 July, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers possible. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for 28 and 29 July for Noida, citing the risk of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning. Intermittent showers are expected to continue on 30 July.
Gurugram is forecast to experience unsettled weather throughout the five-day period, with partly cloudy skies and brief spells of rain or thundershowers on 26, 27, and 28 July. Similar conditions — partly cloudy skies with intermittent rain — are expected to persist on 29 and 30 July.
Ghaziabad is likely to remain partly cloudy on 26 July without major weather activity. Light rain or thundershowers are forecast from 27 July onwards. A yellow alert has been issued for 28 and 29 July, warning of heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning. Cloudy weather with occasional showers is expected to continue on 30 July, though no formal weather warning has been issued for that day.
IMD Advisory for Residents
The IMD has advised residents across Delhi-NCR to remain alert during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The department cautioned that waterlogging, traffic congestion, and reduced visibility may disrupt normal daily activities. Residents in low-lying areas and those commuting during peak rainfall hours are particularly advised to exercise caution.
This comes amid an active monsoon phase across northern India, with the rain belt pushing deeper into the Indo-Gangetic plain. As the week progresses, conditions across Delhi-NCR are expected to remain dynamic, with the yellow alert period on Tuesday and Wednesday likely to be the most intense stretch of the forecast window.
Point of View
Yet the capital's drainage infrastructure consistently fails to keep pace with even moderate rainfall events. The IMD's five-day forecast is notable for its geographic spread — Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad each carrying separate alert windows — which signals a broad, sustained monsoon pulse rather than isolated convective activity. What the forecast does not address is the ground reality: waterlogging advisories rarely translate into pre-emptive civic action, and the gap between meteorological warning and municipal preparedness remains the real story every monsoon in the NCR.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the IMD yellow alert for Delhi-NCR mean?
A yellow alert issued by the India Meteorological Department signals the possibility of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in the region, urging residents to stay informed and exercise caution. It is the lowest of three alert levels but indicates conditions that can disrupt daily life through waterlogging and reduced visibility.
Which days are under yellow alert in Delhi-NCR?
Delhi is under a yellow alert for Tuesday, 29 July and Wednesday, 30 July. Noida and Ghaziabad carry yellow alerts for 28 and 29 July. Gurugram does not have a formal alert but faces unsettled weather with intermittent rain through 30 July.
What kind of rainfall is expected in Delhi this week?
Very light to light rainfall is forecast for Delhi on 27 and 28 July. From 29 July onwards, weather activity is expected to intensify, with moderate rainfall, cloudy skies, and isolated thunderstorms likely through mid-week.
How will the rain affect commuters and daily life in Delhi-NCR?
The IMD has specifically warned of waterlogging, traffic congestion, and reduced visibility during heavy rainfall and thunderstorm periods. Residents — particularly those in low-lying areas or commuting during peak hours — are advised to plan accordingly and stay updated on weather alerts.
Is this level of monsoon activity normal for late July in Delhi?
Late July typically falls within the peak monsoon period for Delhi and the broader Indo-Gangetic plain, so active spells of rainfall are expected. However, the combination of a sustained five-day forecast with multiple yellow alerts across the NCR indicates a stronger-than-usual monsoon pulse for this period.
