Delhi and the surrounding NCR region received relief from the sweltering summer heat on Tuesday as heavy pre-monsoon showers, accompanied by strong winds, lightning, and thunderstorms, lashed the city, bringing down the temperatures and improving the weather significantly.
The showers started in the afternoon and continued into the evening and night, significantly lowering the city’s temperature. The maximum temperature came down to 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was recorded at 27 degrees Celsius. This drop in temperature was a welcome change for the residents, who have been struggling under the scorching sun and high humidity.
Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Delhi and nearby areas, forecasting thunderstorms, hail, moderate to heavy rainfall, and strong winds with speeds reaching up to 70 kmph in isolated places. Their predictions came true as the weather turned stormy by the afternoon.
From the morning itself, the city’s weather felt different. Clouds covered the sky, keeping the sun hidden for most of the day.
With no harsh sunlight beating down, the day began on a cooler and more pleasant note. As the hours passed, the wind started to pick up and the sky grew darker. Soon after, heavy rain began falling in several areas of Delhi, with lightning and thunder accompanying the downpour. The showers continued on and off into the night, giving the city a much-needed break from the exhausting summer weather.
While the rainfall brought welcome relief, it also caused a fair amount of disruption across the city.
The combination of sudden downpour and strong winds led to waterlogging, traffic jams, and tree uprooting in several parts of Delhi and NCR.
According to officials at the Police Control Room, they received at least 15 calls reporting waterlogging and 13 calls reporting uprooted trees during the rainfall. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also responded to 12 complaints of waterlogging and two incidents involving fallen trees. Karol Bagh was one of the most affected areas, recording the highest number of complaints.
Many areas of the city were heavily waterlogged, causing major problems for commuters. Some of the worst-hit places included the underpasses near Delhi Cantonment and Zakhira, as well as Pul Prahladpur, ITO, Najafgarh Road, and Rohtak Road, Kashmere Gate and Nand Nagri.
Traffic in these areas slowed to a crawl as vehicles waded through knee-deep water. Motorists faced long delays, and some even had to abandon their vehicles in flooded streets. The situation was further worsened by strong winds, which brought down trees in several areas, adding to the roadblocks.
Rainfall amounts varied in different parts of the city. According to IMD data, 10 mm of rain was recorded at Safdarjung, 5 mm at Lodhi Road, 41 mm at Pusa, 15 mm at Narayana, and 23 mm at Ayanagar. Wind speeds of 35-40 kmph were observed at Palam and Safdarjung between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm, and again at 6:30 pm.
The IMD reported that the maximum temperature in Delhi was 36.2 degrees Celsius, which was 3.8 degrees below the seasonal average, and the minimum was 28 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal. Relative humidity was at 61 percent at 5:30 pm, making the air feel more humid but still cooler than the previous days.
Looking ahead, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Wednesday, forecasting light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning during the night, along with wind speeds of 50-60 kmph. Temperatures are expected to remain around 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 27 degrees at night. The yellow alert will continue until Thursday, indicating similar weather conditions for the next couple of days.
The weather office has also issued a warning for moderate thunderstorms. It said that lightning could be dangerous, especially in open areas. It advised people to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and unplug electrical appliances during storms. People were also warned not to take shelter under trees or metal structures and to avoid using mobile phones in open spaces. Farmers and outdoor workers were urged to stop their work and seek shelter during heavy rainfall and lightning activity.
The weather not only caused trouble on the roads but also affected air travel. At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, at least 12 flights were diverted between 3 pm and 4 pm due to poor weather conditions. An Air India post on X (formerly Twitter) informed passengers that flight schedules were being impacted due to the storm. Currently, the airport has three operational runways, while one is under renovation.
Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 104 at 4 pm, slightly improving from 96 earlier in the day at 9 am.