Heavy rains lashed Delhi-NCR early Thursday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for the region. The downpour, which began around 2:00 AM, triggered widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls, and disruptions to daily life across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram.
IMD Red Alert: What It Means
The IMD’s red alert warns of:
- Localized flooding in low-lying areas and underpasses
- Disruption of traffic due to waterlogged roads and reduced visibility
- Health risks from floating garbage and stagnant water, especially in Gurugram’s Sector 23
- Damage to crops and vulnerable structures
- Thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 40 km/h across Delhi and surrounding districts
Areas Worst Hit
- Delhi: Subroto Park, Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham Flyover, Jasola
- Gurugram: Palam Vihar, Ashok Vihar Phase 3, Sector 23A
- Noida & Ghaziabad: Multiple arterial roads submerged
Rainfall data till 8:30 AM:
| Location | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Ayanagar | 57.4 |
| Palam | 49.4 |
| Mayur Vihar | 17.5 |
| Ridge | 17.4 |
| Gurugram | 44.0 |
Forecast Till August 16
The IMD predicts continued rainfall across Delhi-NCR through August 16, with moderate to heavy showers expected intermittently. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely at isolated locations, especially in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and West Uttar Pradesh.
School Closures & Regional Alerts
- Lucknow: All schools (Classes 1–12) closed due to bad weather
- Uttar Pradesh: Orange alert in 12 districts including Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, and Bahraich
- Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall expected at isolated places
