Delhi rain alert: IMD issues yellow warning as multiple spells forecast today

Delhi is likely to see several spells of rain on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for the city. The forecast comes as Delhi has already received more rainfall than its long-period average (LPA) for August.

The IMD said very light to light rain was likely at most places from the forenoon through the afternoon, with moderate rain possible at a few locations. Another spell of light rain could occur in the evening or night.

Only 0.5 mm of rain was recorded in Janakpuri on Tuesday morning.

More rain likely over Delhi-NCR

The wet spell is expected to continue beyond Tuesday. The IMD has forecast multiple spells of rain for Wednesday and Thursday, while very light to light rain is likely on Friday and Saturday.

Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya said thunderstorms moving from Uttar Pradesh were likely to enter the Delhi-National Capital Region, bringing periods of moderate to heavy rain.

According to Dahiya, heavy to very heavy rain was expected in Ghaziabad from around 11 am, followed by moderate to heavy showers in Noida, Delhi and Faridabad after 11.30 am. Gurgaon could see similar conditions after noon.

He said rain-bearing clouds were likely to remain active over the region until around 7-8 pm and warned of waterlogging.

The IMD classifies rainfall of up to 15.5 mm as light, 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm as moderate, 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm as heavy and 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm as very heavy.

Delhi crosses August rainfall average early

Delhi's rainfall has already crossed its August LPA, with the milestone reached unusually early this year.

Safdarjung, the IMD's representative weather station for Delhi, recorded 4 mm of rain on Monday. This took the month's total to 234.5 mm, slightly above the August LPA of 233.1 mm.

The threshold was crossed within the first 10 days of August after seven days of rainfall. According to the available records, this is the earliest Delhi has crossed its August LPA in at least 15 years.

How this compares with previous years

Delhi recorded 400.81 mm of rain throughout August last year. The monthly LPA was crossed on August 15 after 11 rainy days.

In 2024, the city crossed the August LPA on August 16, following 13 days of rainfall.

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the satisfactory category on Tuesday, with an AQI of 75 recorded at 10.05 am.