Delhi's weather drama: Heavy rains drench some areas, others stay dry. IMD explains why

On Tuesday morning, several areas in Delhi were hit by intense rainfall over a short period, leading to waterlogging in various locations. Although most regions, including Safdarjung—the city’s base weather station—experienced moderate rainfall between 5:30 am and 8:30 am, some areas were particularly affected by heavy downpours. The Ridge area, for instance, recorded a significant 72.4mm of rain during this period, while Safdarjung and Lodhi Road logged 28.7mm and 25.6mm, respectively. Meanwhile, many parts of South Delhi and other regions saw little to no precipitation, highlighting the uneven distribution of rainfall across the city.

A top official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) speaking to TOI attributed the rain to a thunderstorm, explaining that the current weak state of the monsoon contributed to the variability in rainfall across different areas. This explains why some parts of the city received heavy rain while others remained relatively dry.

As the day progressed, between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, rainfall intensity decreased across the city, with most areas recording only very light to light rain. Safdarjung recorded an additional 1.2mm of rain, while Lodhi Road saw 1.1mm, and Ridge received 5.7mm. Other weather stations across the city reported varying levels of rainfall: Ayanagar measured 0.8mm, Delhi University logged 4mm, Pusa recorded 1.5mm, Najafgarh noted 2.5mm, and Pitampura received 3.5mm.


Weather scientists provided further insights into the heavy rain in specific parts of Delhi. They explained that south-westerly winds carried moisture from the Arabian Sea to the monsoon trough, which passed through Delhi, resulting in the heavy precipitation. Additionally, a weak localized western disturbance interacted with the warm and moist monsoon winds, contributing to the intense rainfall in certain areas.

In response to the unexpected rainfall, the IMD revised its forecast and issued a yellow alert for the city, predicting light to moderate rain from Thursday to Saturday. This alert is intended to prepare residents for potential disruptions caused by the upcoming weather conditions.

On Wednesday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 25.5 degrees Celsius, which is slightly below the normal level for this time of year. The heavy rain on Tuesday not only led to waterlogging in several parts of the city but also caused significant traffic disruptions, slowing down movement on many roads. According to the IMD, Delhi's average seasonal rainfall for the entire monsoon season typically amounts to approximately 650mm. However, in 2024, the city has already recorded 62% above-normal rainfall, underscoring the unusual weather patterns observed this monsoon season.