Delhi Rain Triggers Orange Alert as IMD Warns of Heavy Showers, Thunderstorms Across City

An orange rainfall warning signifies "Be Prepared" for heavy to very heavy rain, typically ranging between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours. A yellow rainfall warning means "Be Aware" and is issued for heavy rainfall typically between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm over the same period.

Multiple parts of Delhi witnessed light showers late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Between 11:30 pm on Wednesday and 8:30 am on Thursday, Palam recorded the highest rainfall at 23.8 mm, followed by Naraina with 23.5 mm and Janakpuri with 17.5 mm.

During the same period, Pusa recorded 6.5 mm of rainfall, Chhatarpur received 4.5 mm, and Mayur Vihar recorded 3.5 mm. Safdarjung, the city's base weather station, registered 3.1 mm of rainfall during the same duration.

At around 9:15 am, the IMD issued a red alert for Shahdara, East Delhi, South East Delhi, Central Delhi, South Delhi, most parts of North East Delhi and Central Delhi, along with parts of West Delhi, North West Delhi, and North Delhi. The weather department predicted heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across these areas.

For Friday, the IMD has forecast multiple spells of very light to light rain at most places, with moderate rainfall expected at a few locations from the early morning until noon. Another spell of very light to light rain is likely during the evening or night.

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.

Experts attributed the increase in rainfall over the past few days, following an extended period without significant rain, to the return of the monsoon trough over northern India.

"The rains have picked up across Delhi as the excess of the monsoon trough that was over central and western India has started to move back to its position over the foothills of the Himalayas. Such scattered rain seen today is likely to be seen today as well, with only around 30% to 60% of NCR seeing strong showers, while other areas get light rain or remain completely dry. In the coming two weeks, NCR is likely to continue seeing days like today, with a few days with heavy rains in some parts of the region," said Ashwary Tiwari, founder of Indiametsky Weather.

Meanwhile, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 80 at around 11:05 am, placing the city's air quality in the "satisfactory" category. With rainfall activity expected to continue over the coming days, weather conditions are likely to remain under close monitoring across the National Capital Region.