The IMD issued a red alert for North Delhi, North West Delhi, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, West Delhi, and South West Delhi. These regions are likely to witness moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and hail.
Wind speeds are expected to range between 40 and 60 kmph in isolated pockets, increasing the risk of falling trees, power disruptions, and reduced visibility on roads.
Meanwhile, South Delhi, South East Delhi, New Delhi district, Shahdara, and East Delhi have been placed under an orange alert. These areas are forecast to receive moderate rain along with thunderstorm activity.
Impact on Delhi-NCR and Commuters
Parts of the wider Delhi-NCR region, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, also experienced light to moderate rainfall. The IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies with intermittent spells of rain or thundershowers across these areas during the day.
Traffic congestion was reported on several arterial roads in Delhi due to waterlogging and reduced road visibility. Office-goers and school commuters faced delays, particularly during peak morning hours.
The IMD has advised citizens to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees, and follow advisories issued by local authorities.
Air Quality Likely to Improve
The spell of rain is expected to provide temporary relief from Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. On Tuesday morning, the city’s Air Quality Index slipped back into the ‘very poor’ category, with readings hovering around 310, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.
Weather experts believe that sustained rainfall and strong winds could help disperse pollutants and improve air quality levels in the coming days.
This comes shortly after a brief improvement in air quality following a nearly day-long rainfall episode earlier this week.
Airlines Issue Travel Advisories
Major airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, issued travel advisories warning passengers of potential delays and disruptions at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport due to adverse weather conditions.
Passengers were advised to check flight status, allow extra travel time to reach the airport, and stay updated through official airline communication channels.
Airport officials said operations were continuing, but sudden changes in wind speed and visibility could affect arrivals and departures.
IMD Advisory and Safety Measures
The IMD stated that the weather alerts would remain valid until early afternoon and could be extended depending on evolving conditions. Residents have been urged to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying and waterlogging-prone areas.
Authorities have also advised construction sites, hoardings, and temporary structures to ensure safety precautions due to the risk posed by strong winds.
Weather Outlook for the Coming Days
Meteorologists expect fluctuating weather conditions to continue over the next 24 to 48 hours, with cloudy skies and occasional rain spells. While intense rainfall may reduce gradually, thunderstorm activity cannot be ruled out.
Residents are advised to stay informed through official alerts as winter weather patterns remain unpredictable across northern India.