Delhi yellow alert: IMD forecasts moderate rain, cloudy skies till August 10
Synopsis
Delhi is under an IMD yellow alert through 10 August as monsoon activity strengthens across northern India. More critically, Patiala has been placed under a red warning — the highest severity tier — with winds of 60 kmph and rainfall above 15 mm per hour expected, while 15 districts across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh face orange alerts.
Key Takeaways
The IMD issued a yellow alert for New Delhi on 6 August , with moderate rain and cloudy skies forecast until 10 August .
Ayanagar recorded the highest rainfall among Delhi's monitoring stations during Tuesday's spell.
Wednesday temperatures in Delhi are expected between 24°C (minimum) and 33°C (maximum).
A red warning was issued for Patiala, Punjab , with winds up to 60 kmph and rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour .
An orange warning covers 4 Punjab districts and 11 Uttar Pradesh districts , including Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, and Ayodhya.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for New Delhi on Wednesday, 6 August, forecasting moderate rainfall and overcast skies as monsoon activity continues to intensify across the region. The weather agency has indicated that rainfall is likely to persist in the capital until at least 10 August.
Tuesday's Rainfall and Current Conditions
Several parts of Delhi received rain on Tuesday, providing temporary relief from the prevailing hot and humid conditions. Among the city's weather monitoring stations, Ayanagar recorded the highest rainfall during Tuesday's spell, according to the IMD. Despite the showers, humid conditions are expected to continue through the week.
Wednesday's Forecast for Delhi
For Wednesday, the IMD has forecast moderate rainfall under a generally cloudy sky. The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to hover near 24 degrees Celsius. The yellow alert advises residents to stay aware of changing weather conditions, as rainfall and thunderstorms may disrupt normal activities in some parts of the city.
Red and Orange Warnings Across Northern India
Beyond Delhi, the IMD on Tuesday issued district-wise nowcast warnings for several states, flagging the risk of thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rainfall, and strong winds over a two-to-three-hour window.
A red warning — the most severe tier — was issued for Punjab's Patiala district, signalling the possibility of extreme weather requiring immediate precautions. The IMD projected thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds reaching around 60 kmph, and heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour. Residents in Patiala were advised to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
An orange warning was issued for several districts across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. In Punjab, the warning covered Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Sangrur, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS Nagar). In Uttar Pradesh, affected districts included Amethi, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Raebareli, and Unnao. Winds of 40 to 60 kmph and moderate to heavy rainfall of 5 to 15 mm per hour or more were considered very likely in these zones.
What Residents Should Do
The IMD has urged people in all affected areas to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms, follow official weather updates, and exercise caution as monsoon conditions remain active across northern India. With the rain spell forecast to extend through 10 August, authorities are expected to monitor urban drainage and traffic conditions closely in the days ahead.
Point of View
But the red warning for Patiala deserves closer attention — 60 kmph winds and rainfall above 15 mm per hour in a dense urban-agricultural district can cause rapid flash flooding and crop damage. The IMD's district-wise nowcast system has improved granularity in recent years, yet public compliance with shelter advisories in rural Punjab and eastern UP remains inconsistent. With 15 districts under orange or red alerts simultaneously, the real test is whether state disaster response machinery is pre-positioned, not just notified.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the IMD yellow alert for Delhi mean?
A yellow alert advises residents to stay informed and be aware of changing weather conditions, as moderate rainfall and thunderstorms may disrupt normal activities. It does not require evacuation but signals that weather could worsen.
How long will the rain last in Delhi?
According to the IMD, rainfall activity in Delhi is likely to continue until at least 10 August 2025. The city is expected to see generally cloudy skies and moderate showers through this period.
Which areas are under the red warning issued by the IMD?
The IMD issued a red warning for Patiala district in Punjab, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning, winds of around 60 kmph, and heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour. Residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid travel.
Which districts in Uttar Pradesh are under the orange warning?
Eleven UP districts — Amethi, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Raebareli, and Unnao — are under the IMD's orange warning, with winds of 40 to 60 kmph and moderate to heavy rainfall expected.
What precautions should people take during the current monsoon alerts?
The IMD advises people in affected areas to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms, stay indoors during periods of intense weather, and follow official updates regularly. Those in red-warned areas like Patiala should avoid all non-essential travel.
