🌧️ Severe Storms Batter Delhi-NCR

• Jun 28, 2025

Heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and gusty winds pounded Delhi and the surrounding NCR region early Friday, significantly disrupting normal life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange alerts for Delhi and neighbouring areas—upgraded from yellow—warned of intense weather conditions with wind speeds reaching 50–70 km/h timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12siasat.com+12hindustantimes.com+12.

⚠️ IMD Alerts Breakdown

• Orange Alert: Indicates potentially hazardous weather that may disrupt routines. Issued for Delhi-NCR with warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, and strong winds .

• Yellow Alert: Indicates caution is advised. Preceded the orange alert earlier in the week and covered surrounding cities like Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad .

🌪️ Impact: Winds, Rainfall & Infrastructure Stress

• Wind speeds recorded at:

  • Safdarjung: ~80 km/h

  • Palam: 74 km/h

  • Pragati Maidan & Jaffarpura: ~78 & 74 km/h, respectively ^{timesofindia.indiatimes.com+10indiatoday.in+10timesofindia.indiatimes.com+10}.

• Rainfall intensity:

  • Lodhi Road: 78 mm

  • Ridge: 59.2 mm

  • Ayanagar: 39.4 mm

  • Safdarjung: ~77 mm in just a few hours — the wettest first week of May in over a decade ^{timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15indiatoday.in+15indiatvnews.com+15}.

• Temperature plunge: Sharp drop from ~28 °C to about 19 °C within half an hour .

🏘️ Human & Transport Toll

• Tragic casualties: At least four fatalities; a neem tree toppled on a structure in Dwarka (Jaffarpur Kalan), claiming the lives of a woman and her three children ^{business-standard.com+1indiatoday.in+1}.

• Traffic chaos: Uprooted trees and waterlogging snarled traffic across key zones—Lajpat Nagar, RK Puram, Moti Bagh, Minto Road, and Gurugram ^{business-standard.com+1indiatoday.in+1}.

• Flight disruptions: Over 100 flights delayed; 40+ diverted to Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and other airports ^{business-standard.com}. Delhi Airport and airlines issued advisories urging passengers to monitor flight status.

• Rail disruption: Tree falls on overhead wires delayed 15–20 trains across Delhi divisions.

📡 IMD Forecast & Advice

• Expect continuing thunderstorms, gusty winds (50–60 km/h), and light to moderate rain over the next few days ^{business-standard.com+1indiatoday.in+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2m.economictimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2}.

• Monsoon onset: Expected soon—IMD forecast suggests the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Delhi by late June, with nearby Gurgaon already experiencing early monsoon showers ^{economictimes.indiatimes.com+4siasat.com+4timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4}.

• Precautions:

  • Use secured indoor shelter; avoid seeking cover under trees.

  • Secure loose objects outdoors.

  • Follow official advisories and emergency guidance.

🧭 Quick Safety Checklist

1. Stay indoors during storms.

2. Avoid areas under trees or power lines.

3. Monitor flight/train schedules and plan travel accordingly.

4. Prepare for localized waterlogging—carry appropriate footwear or alternate routes.

🔮 What to Expect Next

• More rain and thunderstorms through the weekend, possibly accompanied by strong winds. Some alerts may linger as systems continue to influence weather.

• Monsoon likely to formally begin in Delhi in the coming week, bringing sustained rainfall which could further test drainage systems and urban resilience.