‘Winter is coming’: Sudden Delhi rains, hail and thunder take the city by surprise; netizens share photos

Delhiites got an unexpected dose of drama on Tuesday as dark clouds rolled in and heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds lashed the city. The sudden downpour caught many off guard, turning busy streets into soggy lanes and giving a chill that made everyone reach for their jackets. Netizens were quick to share the surprise weather on X, posting everything from stunning sky shots to hailstorm selfies.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued yellow and orange alerts for the Capital, warning of moderate rainfall along with light thunderstorms and lightning. They also predicted hail and wind speeds between 40–60 kmph in central, southwest, west, northwest, and north Delhi. The city woke up to a wet Tuesday morning, with the minimum temperature dropping to 21 degrees Celsius — 1.3 degrees below normal.

Social media reacts

Social media users were quick to react to Delhi’s surprise weather. One reported heavy rain with hail in their area and noted that the La Niña effect might bring extra chill this season.



Another highlighted that a widespread heavy spell of rain was visible across the city.


Several users shared observations about the dark clouds and strong winds in areas like Mehrauli, while others captured the sight of clouds hanging low over Raisina Hills.


Many were amazed at the intensity of the rainfall, noting that such heavy showers are rare in October.

Not all reactions were surprised or worried — some netizens enjoyed the sudden downpour in Delhi and NCR, while others joked that “winter is coming.”


Meanwhile, several posts simply captured the sheer force of the rain hitting New Delhi.