After days of battling relentless humidity and heat, residents of Delhi-NCR finally got some relief on Saturday evening as several parts of the national capital witnessed intense rainfall. However, the joy was short-lived for many, as the downpour led to severe waterlogging and traffic disruption across key areas.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), more rainfall is expected in Delhi over the next 24 hours, although no official alert has been issued for Sunday. Clouds are likely to dominate the sky throughout the day, adding to the monsoon mood that has now firmly settled over northern India.

Delhi’s Saturday Rain: A Snapshot

• Safdarjung Observatory recorded 129 mm of rainfall by 5:30 PM on Saturday.

• Lodhi Road received 120 mm, while Pragati Maidan registered 110 mm.

• Despite the rainfall, humidity levels surged, climbing from 61% in the morning to 82% by evening.

• Major areas like South Delhi, Central Delhi, and parts of Noida and Gurugram faced heavy waterlogging.

The unexpected intensity of the rain caused traffic snarls during peak hours, with commuters stuck on key routes like the Ring Road, Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway, and Outer Ring Road.

Cyclonic Activity Behind the Weather System

The IMD reported that two cyclonic circulations are currently active — one over Haryana and another over Chhattisgarh. These are linked to a broader monsoon system connecting the Western Himalayas with the northeast Bay of Bengal.

This system is expected to trigger moderate to heavy rainfall across large parts of central and eastern India, particularly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of Bengal. However, northwestern regions like Jammu & Kashmir may escape the heaviest showers.

IMD Weather Forecast Across India: Region-wise Update

North India:

• Delhi-NCR: Cloudy skies expected; chances of light to moderate rain in next 24 hours.

• Himachal Pradesh: Receiving maximum rainfall currently; IMD has issued continuous alerts until July 16.

• Uttarakhand: An orange alert has been issued due to high chances of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

• Punjab & Haryana: No immediate rainfall alert, but sporadic showers may occur.

East & Central India:

• Jharkhand: IMD has issued a yellow alert for July 13–15.

  • July 13: Heavy rain expected in Gumla, Khunti, Simdega, Saraikela-Kharsawan, and East & West Singhbhum.

  • July 14: Rain alert for Giridih, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Dumka, and Jamtara.

  • July 15: Heavy showers likely in Deoghar, Pakur, Godda, Sahibganj, and Dumka.

• According to Ranchi Meteorological Centre, rainfall across Jharkhand may vary from light to moderate, with isolated areas receiving heavy rain due to low-pressure monsoon conditions.

• Since June 1, the state has recorded 499.6 mm rainfall, which is 69% above normal.

West India:

• Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan:

  • IMD predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas.

  • Orange alert issued for central and eastern parts of Rajasthan.

• Mumbai and Maharashtra:

  • Ongoing alerts continue as Bay of Bengal-origin weather systems approach western India.

  • Isolated flood-like conditions may develop in coastal regions.

South & Northeast India:

• Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra:

  • Showers expected in patches, with chances of heavy rainfall in hilly zones.

• Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura:

  • Heavy rain likely in scattered regions over the next 48 hours.

Thunderstorm & Lightning Warnings

IMD has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in various parts of eastern and northern India. The following areas are under storm alerts:

• Bihar, West Bengal (Gangetic region), Odisha, and parts of Jharkhand

• Western Madhya Pradesh and Western Rajasthan

• Wind speeds may reach 30–50 km/h, creating localized hazards.

Orange & Yellow Alerts: What They Mean

• Yellow Alert: Be aware — heavy rain expected. No immediate danger, but stay informed.

• Orange Alert: Be prepared — potential for damage due to very heavy rain, wind, or storm activity.

States under orange alert include Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, while Jharkhand and Odisha are mostly under yellow alert until July 15.

What’s Causing the High Humidity in Delhi Despite Rain?

While rain typically brings down temperatures and humidity, Delhi’s rainfall has not cooled the air effectively. Meteorologists explain that poor drainage, rising temperatures post-rain, and lack of wind flow are trapping moisture close to the surface.

This leads to a phenomenon where the discomfort level rises even after heavy rainfall, making it feel hotter and stickier for residents.

As monsoon activity intensifies across India, Delhi-NCR’s relief is only partial, with more showers and disruptions expected. Meanwhile, IMD’s region-wise alerts across Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Northeast India point to a vigorous monsoon phase in motion.

Citizens are advised to:

• Check IMD updates regularly via their app or website.

• Avoid low-lying and flood-prone areas during peak rain hours.

• Stay indoors during thunderstorms and lightning warnings.

• Follow city advisories on traffic diversions and weather alerts.For real-time weather alerts, city-wise forecasts, and breaking climate updates, stay tuned to KKNLive.com — your trusted source for accurate news and analysis.