Heavy Rainfall, Thunderstorms Lash Delhi; Temperature Drops, Air Quality Improves

Delhi experienced heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in the early hours of Sunday, leading to a sharp dip in temperature and a notable improvement in air quality.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued alerts for severe thunderstorms and strong winds, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel due to risks posed by flying debris and poor visibility.

In a post on X, the IMD stated that a “moderate to intense spell of rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds reaching speeds of 80–100 kmph” swept across the national capital during the early morning hours.

Visuals from Krishi Bhavan, Rafi Marg, and Udyog Bhawan showed the city being battered by rain and powerful winds, providing much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat.

At the Safdarjung weather station, two brief but intense thunderstorms—accompanied by hail—were recorded between 3:48 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. The first storm brought gusts of 82 kmph, while the second saw wind speeds peaking at 104 kmph, according to the IMD.

While the rain brought relief, it also caused disruptions to early morning traffic, with reports of waterlogging in several low-lying areas.

The capital had been reeling under an intense heatwave, with parts of the city recording maximum temperatures above 43°C on Thursday. Earlier this week, the IMD had warned of heatwave-like conditions in Delhi-NCR, with temperatures potentially crossing 45°C.