Rain and Thunderstorm Sweep Delhi-NCR as IMD Issues Orange Alert
| 2025-05-18
Thunderstorms and rain hit Delhi-NCR
Thunderstorms and rain hit Delhi-NCR, bringing relief from heat as the India Meteorological Department issues an orange alert for gusty winds and showers.
Rainfall Brings Temporary Relief from Heatwave in India’s Capital
Parts of India’s capital region, including Delhi and neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), experienced gusty winds and scattered rainfall on Saturday. The change in weather brought some respite from persistent summer heat, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for the area.
In an update issued on Saturday afternoon, the IMD warned of “light to moderate rain, thunderstorm or dust storm, and lightning accompanied by gusty winds” in several parts of Delhi and the surrounding region. Wind speeds of 40 to 60 km/h were expected, the agency said.
Rainfall Reported Across Delhi and NCR
Isolated showers and thunderstorms were recorded across various parts of Delhi, including Central Delhi, Maharani Bagh, and Mayur Vihar. In adjoining cities such as Noida and Ghaziabad, residents reported sudden weather changes, with dark clouds, rain, and strong winds disrupting daily routines.
Localised damage was reported in some areas due to uprooted trees and fallen structures, but no casualties have been confirmed so far. Greater Noida and Noida Extension were among the hardest hit, with videos circulating on social media showing fallen traffic lights and damage to parked vehicles. At the Ashok Nagar Rapid Rail Metro station—part of the recently launched Namo Bharat corridor—a section of the roof was damaged by high winds, causing commuter disruption.
Despite the stormy conditions, officials have not reported significant injuries or widespread infrastructure failure.
Temperature Drop and Air Quality Levels
The storm followed a morning of overcast skies in Delhi, where the minimum temperature fell to 24.3 degrees Celsius—more than two degrees below the seasonal average, according to the IMD. However, daytime temperatures were still expected to reach around 42 degrees Celsius.
At 8:30 am, the city’s relative humidity stood at 55 percent. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) as “moderate”, with a reading of 183 at 9:00 am. The CPCB defines AQI levels between 101 and 200 as moderate, meaning air quality is acceptable, though it may pose a risk for sensitive individuals.
Further Thunderstorms Forecast
The IMD has forecast continued instability in the region’s weather, warning of more thunderstorms and intermittent rain in the coming days. Temperatures on Sunday are expected to range between 27 and 40 degrees Celsius, with a possibility of partly cloudy skies, gusty winds, and isolated showers.
The storm activity is seen as a prelude to the upcoming monsoon season, which typically begins in the region in late June. However, such sudden weather events are not uncommon during the transitional period between summer and monsoon.
Context: Pre-Monsoon Weather Patterns and Urban Vulnerability
Thunderstorms are a regular feature of the Indian subcontinent’s pre-monsoon climate, especially during May, when high surface temperatures interact with moist air masses. While such events often provide temporary relief from heatwaves, they also expose vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure, particularly in rapidly expanding metropolitan areas like Delhi.
The IMD has introduced a colour-coded alert system to guide public preparedness for severe weather. An orange alert, such as the one issued on Saturday, signals a warning to authorities and the public to remain alert and prepared for potentially disruptive weather events.
India’s meteorological agencies continue to monitor conditions, with further updates expected if weather patterns intensify.
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