Heavy rain alerts in India: Delhi-NCR, Kerala, Rajasthan face red, orange, yellow warnings

Dubai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple weather alerts across India as the monsoon continues to impact several regions.

Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds are expected in states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and Kerala over the next few days.

The IMD has issued a red alert for East Rajasthan on Sunday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Orange alerts have been declared for Gujarat, West Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and East Madhya Pradesh, signalling residents to prepare for potential disruptions.

Meanwhile, yellow alerts have been issued for isolated areas across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and other regions.

In addition to rain, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected in parts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, South Interior Karnataka, Telangana and West Madhya Pradesh. Isolated thunderstorms are also very likely over Assam & Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, North Interior Karnataka, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

On Saturday evening, Delhi-NCR experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, prompting the IMD to issue a red alert for the capital region. The downpour during peak evening rush hour caused waterlogging, traffic congestion and disruption of daily activities.

Official readings from Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, recorded 35.6mm of rain, the highest among all stations, followed by Lodhi Road (27mm), Pusa (25.5mm), Palam (24.9mm), Mayur Vihar (23mm), and Pragati Maidan (21.7mm). Wind speeds in the city reached 33 kmph over the 24-hour period, further intensifying the impact.

The IMD warned of localised flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, closure of underpasses, and reduced visibility due to heavy rainfall. Residents were advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow traffic and safety guidelines, including steering clear of trees and electric poles during storms.

Northern and central Kerala are bracing for heavy rainfall from August 26 to 28 under the influence of a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal.

The IMD issued yellow alerts for districts including Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Ernakulam, warning of rainfall between 7 mm and 11 mm in 24 hours at isolated locations.

Coastal residents have been urged to exercise caution, while local administrations have been asked to prepare relief camps in case of waterlogging or flooding.

Kerala is still recovering from earlier monsoon damage, which uprooted trees, damaged homes and caused power outages. Officials warned that the new rainfall could lead to renewed disruptions if precautions are not observed.

Over the next few days, maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 30–32°C, with minimums around 21°C. The IMD’s seven-day forecast indicates intermittent spells of rain and thunderstorms in several regions, with intense showers likely at isolated locations.

Disaster management authorities across the affected states have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid waterlogged roads, minimize travel, and follow government advisories. With the southwest monsoon still active and the Bay of Bengal low-pressure system evolving, heightened preparedness and caution remain critical in safeguarding lives and property.