Heavy rain lashes Delhi-NCR, IMD issues red alert; Safdarjung records 40 mm

Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed Delhi-NCR early on Monday, 12 October, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for the national capital and leaving several areas waterlogged, according to news agency reports.

The IMD warned of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds of up to 60 kmph and heavy rainfall of more than 15 mm per hour, with the red alert valid until 9 am, PTI reported. IANS reported that the alert covered all 11 districts of Delhi.

Rainfall and affected areas

According to IMD data cited by PTI, the Safdarjung observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded 40 mm of rain up to 5.30 am. The weather station at Delhi airport recorded 30 mm in the same period.

Rain was reported from R K Puram, Kartavya Path and parts of central, southeast and west Delhi, PTI said, adding that the showers brought cooler conditions to the capital. Business Today reported waterlogging on roads near the Jhandewalan temple in Karol Bagh, along with uprooted trees in other parts of the city, and a drop of about 1-2°C in temperatures.

• Red alert for Delhi valid until 9 am on 12 October; IANS reported it covered all 11 districts
• Safdarjung: 40 mm of rain up to 5.30 am; Delhi airport: 30 mm (IMD data via PTI)
• Forecast wind speeds of up to 60 kmph and rain intensity above 15 mm per hour
• Orange alerts for Faridabad, Gurugram, Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana, and warnings for nine Uttar Pradesh districts (Business Today)

Airport advisory and travel

Indira Gandhi International Airport said flight operations remained normal, Business Today reported. In a post on X, Delhi Airport said its ground teams were in constant contact with all concerned agencies to minimise inconvenience to passengers, and advised travellers to contact their airlines and check flight status before leaving for the airport, as schedules could change in bad weather.

The IMD had cautioned that water could collect in low-lying areas, slowing traffic and raising the risk of road accidents, according to IANS. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, check traffic updates before leaving home and avoid waterlogged routes.

Drier days ahead

The IMD’s seven-day forecast indicates that the rain is unlikely to continue. According to IANS, Delhi is expected to see partly cloudy skies from 13 to 17 October, with maximum temperatures between 31°C and 35°C and minimum temperatures between 22°C and 25°C over the period. Business Today, citing the forecast issued on Sunday evening, said the city would remain mostly dry from Tuesday to Saturday.

The reports linked Monday’s weather to an active western disturbance over north India.

Sources: ThePrint (PTI), Business Today (BT Bazaar), The Hawk (IANS), The Federal (PTI).