The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red' alert for parts of north Delhi and an 'orange' alert for the wider Delhi-NCR region, as heavy rain and strong winds swept across the capital on Tuesday afternoon. The sudden downpour followed a stifling morning, offering a temporary reprieve from oppressive humidity and high temperatures.
Severe Weather Warnings and Forecasts
Under the 'red' alert, north Delhi is expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 70 kmph. The 'orange' alert covers the rest of Delhi, forecasting moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and winds of 50-60 kmph.
The IMD anticipates generally cloudy skies throughout the day, with moderate rain continuing. The maximum temperature is projected to settle around 36 degrees Celsius. Earlier in the day, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, the highest since July 2, 2024. The 'feels like' temperature soared to 44.7 degrees Celsius by 8:30 AM due to 79 percent relative humidity, making for extremely uncomfortable conditions.
Impact Across the Capital and Beyond
Rainfall was reported across various parts of Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad. The gusty winds led to incidents of fallen trees, with one notable event in East of Kailash where a large tree crashed onto parked vehicles. Emergency services, including fire and police teams, quickly responded to the scene, though no injuries were reported.
The severe weather comes shortly after the southwest monsoon arrived in Delhi on July 2, five days later than its usual schedule. While the showers provided much-needed relief from the preceding days of heat and humidity, residents are urged to remain cautious due to the ongoing alerts.
Neighboring regions in Haryana, such as Kaithal, Rohtak, and Sonipat, along with western Uttar Pradesh districts including Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, and Bulandshahr, are also expected to receive rainfall in the coming hours.