Delhi rains: Amid this month’s record-breaking rainfall activity, IMD forecasts more heavy rains across Delhi-NCR

Delhi has seen an unusual amount of rainfall this August, with the capital recording the highest rainfall in the last decade for this month. The weather is expected to remain wet, with more rainy days likely as the month concludes.

Delhi-NCR witnessed intense rainfall early Thursday, leading to widespread waterlogging and severe traffic disruptions across the region. The heavy downpour left roads submerged, causing significant challenges for commuters, with some underpasses nearly fully underwater. Neighboring areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram also faced the brunt of the downpour, adding to the chaos.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that this rainfall activity will persist throughout the week due to a cyclonic circulation over southeast Uttar Pradesh and an east-west trough extending to the east-central Bay of Bengal. More specifically, light to moderate rains with the occasional thunder are in store for Delhi.

The city's Safdarjung observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 23°C on Thursday, three degrees below normal, while the maximum temperature on Wednesday was 34°C. Despite the ongoing rains, the weather office predicts a slight increase in temperature starting today.

This August has been marked by unprecedented rainfall in Delhi, with the city recording its highest number of rainy days in the past 14 years. With 24 rainy days, this month surpassed the previous record of 22 days set in 2012 and 20 days in 2011. A "rainy day" is defined as when the city receives more than 2.4 mm of rainfall. Additionally, the total rainfall recorded so far in August has reached 291.6 mm, making it one of the wettest months on record, surpassing the previous high of 290.1 mm in August 2014.

Significant rainfall on August 25 provided much-needed respite from the prevailing humidity. As rain continued into the following days, various parts of Delhi, including areas where Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations were taking place, were impacted. Between August 26 and 27, Safdarjung recorded 16.4 mm of rainfall, Lodhi Road 15.8 mm, Ayanagar 64 mm, and Palam 6.9 mm. The rainfall continued into early Wednesday, affecting parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), leading to waterlogging in some areas.