Heavy rain, thunderstorms lash Delhi; IMD issues ‘red’ alert

Heavy rain, thunderstorms lash Delhi; IMD issues ‘red’ alert In a sudden shift from Delhi’s typical hot, dry summer, the city was drenched with heavy rain and violent thunderstorms overnight, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a “red” alert for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The red alert, the highest level of warning, indicates that rainfall is expected to reach or exceed 50 mm in 24 hours in at least one area within the capital’s 1,484‑square‑kilometre expanse. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors, keep emergency supplies ready, and avoid driving in flood-prone zones..

The National Capital Region (NCR) received a steady downpour from 21:00 UTC on Thursday evening, with the peak intensity occurring between 02:00 and 04:00 local time. According to the IMD’s 18:00 UTC bulletin, rainfall totals in the north and northwest parts of Delhi were projected to surpass 60 mm, while central and southern districts were forecasted to see 45–55 mm. The heavy precipitation coincided with a powerful low‑pressure system that had moved in from the Himalayas, amplifying the city’s already high humidity and causing hail in the outer ring of the NCR..

Residents of the upscale South Delhi neighbourhoods were among the first to feel the impact. A 47‑year‑old accountant from Vasant Kunj, who lives in a three‑storey apartment block, reported that the waterlogged streets turned into miniature rivers overnight. “I tried to drive to work, but my car got stuck in a ditch about ten metres deep..

I could hear the thunder, and it felt like the sky was on fire,” she said. Her neighbours echoed her experience, describing how water flooded basements, kitchens, and even the backyards of several households. In the north‑western districts of Delhi, the situation worsened..

A local volunteer group in the Rohini area organized a rapid response to clear debris from blocked drains. “The city’s drainage network was overwhelmed,” explained volunteer coordinator Rahul Gupta. “We found that most of the stormwater channels had been clogged by leaf litter and discarded plastic, which prevented the rainwater from draining away quickly..

We cleared several culverts, but it will still take several hours for the water to recede.” The Delhi Pollution Control Board reported that waterlogging in Rohini and other nearby zones had reached depths of up to 30 cm, posing a serious risk of flooding. The heavy rainfall also triggered several minor landslides along the slopes of the Aravalli Range. Police in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction responded to multiple calls of debris falling onto the roads..

“We were dispatched to the Mehrauli area where the slope had collapsed, and we secured the site with temporary barricades,” said senior officer Manoj Sharma. “While the landslides were not extensive, they served as a warning that the region is susceptible to flash floods, especially during intense rainfall events.” The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change subsequently issued a temporary ban on construction work on the slopes until the water levels subside. The Delhi Police’s traffic control unit activated the city’s emergency traffic management system, diverting vehicles from flooded roads and ensuring the safe movement of emergency services..

“We closed the Ring Road between Rajendra Nagar and Nizamuddin at 03:00 local time and redirected traffic to alternate routes,” said traffic officer Anil Singh. He added that the police were deploying sandbags along vulnerable points in the city, a measure that had proved effective in past flood events. “Our priority is to maintain open roads for ambulances and fire trucks, and we have coordinated with the Municipal Corporation’s water‑removal crews to clear the major blockages as quickly as possible.” The sudden downpour had a noticeable effect on Delhi’s ambient temperature..

According to the IMD’s latest weather updates, the capital’s temperature dropped by 4 °C in the first hours after the rain, bringing relief to residents battling the oppressive heat that had prevailed for weeks. “It felt like a cool breeze after the storm,” remarked a 32‑year‑old Delhi resident who works as a graphic designer. “The temperature hovered around 26 °C, which was a welcome break from the 38‑40 °C we normally endure.” However, meteorologists cautioned that the cooler temperatures would likely give way to another surge of heat later in the week, as the monsoon trough moves northward..

In addition to flooding, the thunderstorms produced a spate of electrical hazards. Several residents reported power outages across the city, particularly in the outer suburbs. “My house lost electricity for about an hour during the storm, but the power came back after a quick repair by the state electricity board,” said a mother of two from Dwarka..

The Delhi Power Grid responded by dispatching crews to address the outages, while the state’s electricity regulator reminded citizens to avoid using electrical appliances during storms to prevent short circuits and further hazards. The city’s public transport system also faced disruptions. The Delhi Metro’s Red Line, which runs through the heart of the city, had to suspend operations on the stretch between Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar for approximately 90 minutes due to a burst water pipe..

“We temporarily halted services to conduct emergency repairs and to ensure the safety of our passengers,” said a spokesperson for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The Delhi Transport Corporation’s bus routes were similarly affected, with the department announcing that it would deploy additional buses once the water had receded to prevent overcrowding on the roads. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), acting on the IMD’s red alert, activated its emergency.