Delhi Wakes to Thunder, Rain and Waterlogged Streets as IMD Warns of More Showers Ahead

Sudden downpour catches commuters off guard, IMD expects unstable weather till August 5

It started with a drizzle at dawn, but by mid-morning, parts of Delhi looked like someone had turned the taps on full blast. Roads flooded, traffic stalled, and the skies stayed heavy as rain pelted the National Capital Region for the second day in a row.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned of thunderstorms — and on July 31, the skies delivered. With water pooling across major intersections and popular spots like Connaught Place resembling shallow lakes, the city entered its usual monsoon dance of beauty, chaos, and damp shoes.

Rainfall Brings Relief — and Trouble

The rain offered a welcome break from July’s heat but it didn’t come quietly.

By 6:30 a.m., commuters were already dealing with ankle-deep water in several neighborhoods. Photos and videos circulating online showed tourists scrambling for cover at Qutub Minar, with soaked umbrellas and ponchos barely helping.

Some relief did come in the form of cooler temperatures. The IMD reported that Delhi’s maximum would hover around 30–32°C, and the minimum around 23–25°C — both about 2 to 4 degrees below the usual for this time of year.

But relief was short-lived for those stuck on the roads.

Waterlogging Hits Key Areas

By midmorning, traffic snarls had begun piling up.

Several parts of Central Delhi were hit particularly hard. Visuals from Connaught Place showed parked scooters half-submerged and people hopping over broken footpaths to avoid puddles. South Delhi wasn’t spared either — with clogged drains in Lajpat Nagar and Saket once again testing the patience of residents.

A few key pain points surfaced:

• Connaught Place: waterlogged low-lying zones near Metro Gate No. 5

• Minto Road underpass: temporarily shut due to flooding

• Outer Ring Road: slow-moving traffic reported from early morning

Oddly enough, some pockets remained dry, reflecting the city’s growing problem of uneven rainfall and inefficient drainage systems.

Rainfall Across the City: What the Data Says

Here’s a snapshot of rainfall collected by the IMD between 8:30 AM on July 30 and 6:30 AM on July 31 across Delhi:

These figures suggest a relatively scattered spread. While Ridge and Delhi University saw more than 55 mm of rainfall, places like Ayanagar stayed below 40 mm. This pattern of localized heavy bursts and patchy coverage is becoming more frequent each year, say meteorologists.

IMD’s Forecast: More to Come, But Nothing Too Severe

So what’s next? According to the IMD’s latest advisory, Delhi-NCR residents should keep those umbrellas handy.

The department expects light to moderate rainfall through August 5, interspersed with brief thunderstorms. There’s no major alert for very heavy downpour in Delhi yet, but the IMD has advised vigilance, especially during morning and evening commutes.

A few safety tips being circulated by IMD and disaster management teams include:

• Stay indoors during thunderstorms

• Avoid standing near tall trees or electric poles

• Keep windows shut and secure loose objects on balconies

• Postpone travel during peak storm alerts, if possible

The IMD has also issued a separate red alert for northeast India, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Assam, Meghalaya, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh over the next week. That could lead to travel disruptions and even potential flooding in those areas.

Delhi’s Old Problem: Too Much Rain, Too Little Planning

This week’s showers once again highlight Delhi’s longstanding struggle with drainage.

Despite crores spent annually on pre-monsoon preparedness, most of the city’s stormwater systems still can’t handle even 50 mm of rainfall in a short span. With concrete choking natural runoff points and encroachments narrowing old drains, the city becomes a mess at the first hint of heavy rain.

And let’s be honest — this isn’t new.

In July 2022, a 35-minute downpour flooded Connaught Place. In August 2023, water from a single storm stalled metro construction at Sarai Kale Khan. Residents have been here before — many times. So have officials. But somehow, the cycle continues.