New Delhi: Delhi woke up to heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, warning of moderate to heavy rainfall across the National Capital Region (NCR). However, flight operations at Delhi airport remained normal despite the intense weather.
A western disturbance has affected weather conditions across northern India, triggering unsettled conditions, rainfall and thunderstorms in several parts of the region.
IMD DISTRICT-WISE NOWCAST WARNING
Valid for the next 3 hoursIssue Time: 12-10-2026 06:00 Hrs IST
Valid Up To: 12-10-2026 09:00 Hrs IST🔴 RED WARNING — TAKE ACTION
Lightning/thunderstorms with gusty winds around 60 kmph and heavy rain above 15 mm/hour are very likely over:* Delhi: Central Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, Shahadra, South Delhi, South East Delhi, South West Delhi, West Delhi
🟠 ORANGE ALERT — BE PREPARED
Thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds of 40–60 kmph and moderate to intense rain of 5–15 mm/hour are likely over:* Haryana: Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Sonipat
* Uttar Pradesh: Amroha, Baghpat, Bijnor, Bulandsahar, Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Sambhal⚠️ Safety Advisory: Stay alert and take necessary precautions. Do not shelter under trees or weak structures. Check road and traffic conditions, avoid flood/landslide-prone areas, and follow official advice.
MORE DETAILS (including Yellow warnings)
https://t.co/lQ5xJbGQ5f
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India Meteorological Department
Ministry of Earth Sciences— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 12, 2026
The red alert is in place across all 11 districts of Delhi, with the IMD forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds of up to 60 kmph and heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour until 9 am.
An orange alert was also issued for Faridabad, Gurugram, Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana, along with nine districts in Uttar Pradesh. The alert warned of thunderstorms, lightning, winds gusting at 40-60 kmph and moderate to intense rainfall.
Meanwhile, Delhi airport said flight operations were running normally despite the possibility of adverse weather conditions.
In a post on X, the airport said its ground teams were coordinating with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth journey for passengers. Travellers were advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates.
Passenger Advisory issued at 04:25 hrs.
For Live flight status:https://t.co/1CVJNL6Ry1
#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory https://t.co/DXfQax5jKg— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) October 11, 2026
The rainfall brought relief from the recent warm conditions, with cloudy skies and showers keeping the region cooler. Temperatures dropped by 1-2 degrees following the rain.
However, the downpour caused disruption in parts of the capital, leaving roads waterlogged near Jhandewalan Temple in Karol Bagh. Several other areas also experienced the impact of the intense spell, with uprooted trees and flooding adding to the disruption.
The IMD had also cautioned commuters about possible traffic delays, an increased risk of road accidents and water accumulation on roads and in low-lying areas following the rainfall.
It advised people to check traffic conditions before setting out, follow official traffic advisories and avoid stretches prone to waterlogging.
Despite the change in weather, daytime temperatures in Delhi are expected to remain between 31 and 35 degrees Celsius over the next few days, according to the IMD. In its seven-day forecast issued on Sunday evening, the IMD predicted dry weather and partly cloudy skies from Tuesday to Saturday.
