The capital was rocked by a sudden severe change in temperature conditions today, as heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds slammed at various sections of the capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) raised its alert to Red Alert for several districts by late morning as it expected a severe weather outbreak for example hail. Images from Kartavya Path and India Gate showed the famous stretch of roadway enveloped in grey as torrential rain clouds reduced visibility and pushed pedestrians scrambling for shelter.
Red Alert Issued: Take Action
At 11:10 a.m., IMD upgraded its warning to Red Alert for the following regions:
- Northwest Delhi
- West Delhi
- Southwest Delhi
- Outer North Delhi
- Parts of Central Delhi
There is still an Orange Alert for the Northeast, East and Shahdara districts in the city, but otherwise it is on a general weather watch. Red Alert Red alert is the greatest level of warning and indicates residents and officials need to “take action” in a planned way to reduce the risks of extreme weather.
VIDEO | Delhi: Heavy rains lash parts of the city. Visuals from Kartavya Path.#Delhi #WeatherUpdate
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/xsxfs5OKuY— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 27, 2026
Rainfall and Hail Warning
The rain started as a light drizzle in the morning but escalated steadily from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
According to official IMD data:
- Palam: 3.4 mm
- Ridge: 3.0 mm
- Pitampura: 2.0 mm
- Janakpuri: 1.5 mm
The weather office warns that it is highly likely hailstorms will be expected the next few hours, with lightning and gusty winds up to 40 to 50 kmph. Heavy rain activity is currently localized to Narela, Bawana, Alipur, Rohini and Mundaka.
Impact on Life and Traffic
The torrential rainfall has sparked immediate concern about waterlogging in low-lying spots. Commuters on the majority of the highways, such as the Dhaula Kuan stretch and the Outer Ring Road, experienced slower traffic because visibility was low and roads were slippery.
Despite the rain offering a brief respite from the city's "Poor" air quality (AQI 294 this morning), the power of the storm has intensified the struggles for the city’s homeless and outdoor workers.
Why Is It Raining Now?
This extreme January spell was attributed by meteorologists to a severe Western Disturbance (WSD) that is now over Northwest India. It's already dumped massive snow in the Himalayan region and is spreading into Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. The IMD says unsettled weather looks set to outlast Wednesday, January 28, and temperatures would tumble further, perhaps reaching cold wave conditions by the weekend.
