New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Delhi, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall as a fresh spell of monsoon activity is set to lash the National Capital Region on Wednesday, September 2.
Cloudy skies have already covered the capital following showers in parts of Delhi on Tuesday evening, September 1.
The fresh spell of rain is expected to bring a further drop in temperatures as persistent cloud cover blocks intense sunshine. Residents have also been advised to remain cautious, with heavy rainfall potentially leading to waterlogging and traffic disruptions in vulnerable parts of Delhi-NCR.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy skies over Delhi on Wednesday, with a spell of very light to light rain likely at many places from the early morning to noon.
Some areas could receive moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
Another spell of very light to light rain is likely at many places from the afternoon into the evening.
The rain will also keep temperatures lower.
The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to remain around 32-34°C, while the minimum could stay between 24-26°C.
The IMD has also issued a heavy-rain warning for Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi from September 2-5, with thunderstorms and lightning also likely on September 2-4.
The broader spell is expected to strengthen on September 3-4, when fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is forecast over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.
The renewed activity is linked to a well-marked low-pressure area over West Jharkhand and adjoining areas.
The system is expected to move west-northwestwards across south Uttar Pradesh and north Madhya Pradesh during the next 24 hours.
At the same time, the monsoon trough, which is an elongated zone of low pressure that plays a key role in organising monsoon rainfall, is currently passing through Ferozpur, Delhi and Lucknow, before extending towards the Bay of Bengal.
Together, these weather systems are helping increase rainfall activity across parts of north India, including Delhi-NCR.
For Delhi-NCR, however, the rain is unlikely to be a continuous downpour.
Instead, residents should expect spells of rain through the day, with thunderstorms and isolated moderate or heavy showers adding to the intensity in some locations.
That could mean waterlogging on roads, slower traffic and disruptions in low-lying parts of Delhi, Noida and Gurugram if intense showers occur.
Overall, Wednesday is expected to be considerably wetter and cooler than the preceding days.
The wet spell could continue in phases over the next few days, with the IMD expecting the main widespread rainfall activity over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on September 3 and 4.
