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Delhi-NCR drenched by early morning thunderstorms; IMD red alert as waterlogging hits commute
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Delhi-NCR on Oct 12, prompting an IMD red alert and reports of waterlogging and fallen trees. Temperatures dipped sharply, but forecasts suggest rain will ease and the week will turn partly cloudy and warmer.
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept through Delhi-NCR early on Monday, October 12, triggering waterlogging in several pockets of the capital and slowing the morning commute as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for intense spells and strong winds.
Reports from across the region described gusty winds and bursts of heavy rain before dawn, with low-lying stretches quickly collecting water. Karol Bagh was among the worst affected, with waterlogging reported near Jhandewalan Temple. Similar complaints came in from other parts of Delhi and nearby NCR cities as the storm line moved through.
The IMD’s nowcast warning, issued at 6 am and valid until 9 am, flagged the risk of heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour, thunderstorms and lightning, and wind gusts reaching 60 kmph. The alert also cautioned about traffic congestion and water accumulation in low-lying areas.
The showers brought a sharp dip in temperatures after several days of warmer October weather. Early readings showed New Delhi at 20.4 degrees Celsius and Palam at 21 degrees Celsius, while humidity in New Delhi touched 100 per cent after the rain. Around 7 am, Noida was near 22 degrees Celsius and Gurugram hovered around 23 degrees Celsius.
Red alert, short-duration spell
The IMD described the event as a brief but intense spell, with moderate to heavy rain expected to continue for the next two to three hours from the time of the morning warnings. By mid-morning, the outlook pointed to a moderating trend as the system moved on.
On the ground, the impact was immediate. Waterlogged patches were reported to have disrupted normal movement in parts of the city. Fallen trees were also reported in the capital. With visibility reduced during heavier bursts and water on the carriageway, commuters were urged to check road and traffic conditions before setting out.
While the heaviest activity was concentrated in the morning hours, the weather shift was noticeable across the region: overcast skies replaced the clearer conditions that had prevailed earlier, and the combination of rain-cooled air and saturated humidity made the start of the day feel markedly cooler.
What the week looks like
The wet spell is not expected to linger. Forecast guidance for the days ahead indicates partly cloudy skies and no rainfall over the following several days, suggesting the October pattern will revert quickly after the morning storm.
Daytime temperatures are expected to climb back into the low-to-mid 30s Celsius range. The forecast pegs maximum temperatures between 31 and 35 degrees Celsius over the next several days, with minimum temperatures largely between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures are expected to edge up again on October 14, with the maximum forecast to reach 33 degrees Celsius and higher, as the immediate cooling effect of the rain fades.
The broader weather pattern has also been reflected elsewhere in the country, with parts of southern India bracing for more rain even as conditions in Delhi-NCR are expected to stabilise after the short, sharp spell.
For Delhi-NCR residents, the key message for the rest of Monday is caution during the immediate aftermath: water can linger on service lanes and underpasses even after rain stops, and strong gusts can leave behind debris and weakened branches. The IMD’s warnings were focused on the morning window, but the knock-on effects on traffic and localised flooding often last longer than the cloudburst itself.
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