Delhi Rains: Yellow Alert Issued, More Showers Predicted as NCR Battles Waterlogging
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for August 8, as a relentless monsoon continues to drench the region. The forecast indicates that cloudy skies and intermittent rain spells will persist across all districts of Delhi and adjoining cities over the coming days, according to the weather department's regional bulletin.
The heavy downpour has brought a sharp drop in temperatures, with daytime maximums falling to between 26.5 and 28.4 degrees Celsius — significantly below the average of 34.2 degrees Celsius expected in early August. Night-time minimums also dipped to between 21.7 and 25.9 degrees Celsius, settling 1.6 to 5.0 degrees below normal. The cool weather, however, has come at a cost: severe waterlogging and massive traffic jams have disrupted daily life across the capital.
Relative humidity touched a saturated 100% at several monitoring stations, with easterly winds blowing at 20 to 25 km/h, keeping the atmosphere damp and breezy.
Record Rainfall in South and South-West Delhi
All eleven administrative districts of Delhi received significant rainfall during the 24-hour observation period ending at 8:30 AM on August 8. The southern and southwestern peripheries recorded the highest totals. The automatic weather station at the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU) in South Delhi logged an extraordinary 165.0 mm of rain, the highest in the city. The IGNOU campus followed with 138.0 mm, and Aya Nagar recorded 115.0 mm.
In Western and South-Western Delhi, several suburban hubs crossed the century mark: Palam Observatory recorded 104.6 mm, Najafgarh registered 103.5 mm, and Janakpuri measured 102.5 mm. At Safdarjung Observatory, the city's official baseline station, rainfall measured 98.7 mm, with an additional 57.3 mm recorded during the same window. Other notable readings included Delhi Ridge (89.8 mm), Lodi Road (86.8 mm), Pusa (81.5 mm), Mayur Vihar (69.5 mm), and Rajghat (62.6 mm).
Neighbouring NCR cities also witnessed heavy rain, with Gurgaon receiving 96.5 mm, Ghaziabad 33.0 mm, and Noida 28.5 mm during the same period.
Three Weather Systems Fuel the Downpour
IMD meteorologists have attributed the current spell of rain to the interaction of three distinct weather systems over North-Western India:
Monsoon Trough Alignment: The primary sea-level monsoon trough is passing directly across North India, along an axis through Anupgarh, Delhi, Deomali, Sidhi, and Digha, extending south-eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
Remnant Cyclonic Circulation: A low-pressure area over southwest Uttar Pradesh has weakened, but its remnant circulation sits over northeast Rajasthan and neighbouring areas, extending up to 3.1 km above sea level. This system continues to pump moisture into the NCR.
Western Disturbance: An upper-air trough in the westerlies, located along longitude 73°E and north of latitude 29°N, is interacting with monsoon winds, enhancing cloud formation and thunderstorm activity over the region.
The IMD's forecast for the coming days suggests generally cloudy skies with intermittent rain spells across Delhi and the NCR. In line with the earlier warning, the rain is expected to continue until next Friday, according to the original alert. Residents are advised to remain cautious, avoid waterlogged areas, and plan commutes accordingly, as authorities work to clear blocked drains and manage traffic disruptions.
The sudden drop in temperature and prolonged wet conditions highlight the intensity of this year's monsoon, which has already caused significant inconvenience in the capital region. Further updates from the IMD are awaited as the weather system evolves.
