Delhi-NCR woke up to light rain on Thursday, but weather conditions are expected to turn significantly more severe through the day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed the national capital under a red alert after its 6:45 am nowcast warned of intense thunderstorms, lightning, squally winds and widespread rainfall across the region.
The latest advisory signals the arrival of one of the strongest monsoon spells of the season, with authorities urging residents to remain cautious as damaging winds and heavy showers move across the city.
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IMD warns of thunderstorms and winds up to 100 kmph
According to the IMD’s 6:45 am nowcast, Delhi is likely to experience moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and squally winds of 69 to 80 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 100 kmph. The forecast also predicts light to moderate rainfall at most places, while several areas could receive moderate rain during the day.
The red alert represents the highest level of weather warning issued by the IMD and indicates the possibility of dangerous weather conditions capable of causing disruption.
Monsoon’s first major spell reaches Delhi-NCR
Weather tracker @navdeepdahiya55 on X said, “Moderate to heavy showers have begun over northwest Delhi and Gurugram,” describing it as the monsoon’s first major downpour over the region.
Nowcast-2
— IndiaMetSky Weather (@indiametsky) July 2, 2026
Intense thunderstorm with gusty winds upto 70km/h followed by Heavy to Very Heavy Rains will occur over #Delhi, #Baghpat, #Ghaziabad, #Noida, #Faridabad, #Gurgaon, and nearby areas in next 1 hours and will continue for 2 hours.
•Waterlogging is imminent and rains… https://t.co/AYmdqqovzr pic.twitter.com/0Pf2lXOu1g
The update added that rainfall is expected to spread across most parts of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad within the next hour. Low-lying areas may witness waterlogging, while lighter showers are likely to continue until around 10 am to 11 am after the intense spell passes.
Earlier weather updates had also indicated that rainfall distribution would remain uneven, with western parts of Delhi expected to receive heavier showers than eastern areas.
Why has Delhi been placed under a red alert?
The IMD has issued the red alert because of the combination of severe thunderstorms and powerful wind gusts, which could create hazardous conditions. Strong winds of this intensity can damage weak structures, uproot trees and affect daily movement across the city.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors during the peak of the storm, avoid standing near trees, electric poles and hoardings, and secure loose items kept on balconies or rooftops until weather conditions improve.
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Heavy rain alerts continue across North India
The latest weather system comes as the southwest monsoon continues to advance across north India. The IMD had earlier indicated that the monsoon was expected to reach Delhi-NCR within 48 hours, while heavy rainfall warnings remain in place for the Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi region over the coming days.
Beyond Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan are under an orange alert due to the threat of extremely heavy rain and possible landslides. Active monsoon conditions are also continuing across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, rain-related incidents continue to claim lives in Uttar Pradesh. Eight deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, most of them linked to lightning strikes, including four labourers killed while transplanting paddy in Sultanpur and Moradabad, two fatalities in Ballia, and one death each in Varanasi and Aligarh.
FAQs:
Is Delhi under a red alert today?
Yes, the IMD has placed Delhi-NCR under a red alert due to heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and wind gusts of up to 100 kmph.
Will it rain heavily in Delhi today?
Yes, the IMD has forecast moderate to heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across many parts of Delhi-NCR throughout the day.
