Delhi continued to witness light to moderate rainfall on Thursday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for heavy rain. The weather department has also issued a Yellow Alert for Friday, warning residents to remain cautious as more showers are expected over the next two days.
While rain brought relief from the heat, authorities have warned that some parts of the city could witness heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.
What Does the IMD Orange Alert Mean?
According to the IMD:
- Orange Alert means "Be Prepared" for heavy to very heavy rainfall, ranging between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm in 24 hours.
- Yellow Alert means "Be Aware", with rainfall expected between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm in 24 hours.
The Orange Alert indicates that residents should stay updated on weather conditions and take necessary precautions.
Rainfall Recorded Across Delhi
Several areas of Delhi received rainfall between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
The highest rainfall was recorded in:
- Palam: 23.8 mm
- Naraina: 23.5 mm
- Janakpuri: 17.5 mm
- Pusa: 6.5 mm
- Chhatarpur: 4.5 mm
- Mayur Vihar: 3.5 mm
- Safdarjung: 3.1 mm
The showers helped bring down temperatures across the city.
Red Alert Issued for Several Areas
At around 9:15 AM, the IMD also issued a Red Alert for several parts of Delhi, including:
- Shahdara
- East Delhi
- South East Delhi
- Central Delhi
- South Delhi
- Parts of North East Delhi
- Parts of West Delhi
- North West Delhi
- North Delhi
The weather department warned of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in these areas.
More Rain Expected on Friday
The IMD has predicted multiple spells of light rain across most parts of Delhi on Friday.
Some areas may also receive moderate rainfall during the morning, followed by another spell of light rain during the evening or night.
Weather experts believe Delhi will continue to witness scattered rainfall over the next two weeks.
According to weather expert Ashwary Tiwari, the recent increase in rainfall is due to the monsoon trough shifting back towards northern India after remaining over central and western parts of the country.
He said that while some areas of Delhi-NCR may receive heavy showers, others could witness only light rain or remain dry.
Delhi's Air Quality Remains Satisfactory
The continuous rainfall has also improved Delhi's air quality.
According to official data, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 80, which falls under the "Satisfactory" category.
The rain has also brought down temperatures, with the maximum temperature expected to remain between 31°C and 33°C on Thursday.
The IMD has forecast that temperatures may rise slightly to 33°C–35°C on Saturday, while Thursday's minimum temperature was recorded at 25.6°C.
Residents are advised to stay updated with official weather alerts, avoid waterlogged areas during heavy rain, and take precautions during thunderstorms.