Monsoon Nears Delhi: Showers, Storms and a Yellow Alert Ahead

The capital’s long wait for the monsoon may finally end in the next 48 hours, with forecasters predicting a rainy, stormy start to the week. A yellow alert is already in place.

After days of sweltering heat and anticipation, the southwest monsoon is closing in on Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says rain and thunderstorms are likely to hit the city by Tuesday, bringing with them gusty winds of up to 50 kmph. That means a breather from heat, dust, and—perhaps most welcome—some relief for Delhi’s stubbornly poor air.

IMD Forecast Brings Relief—and Warnings

The monsoon, which has already covered large swathes of northern and northwestern India, is expected to reach the capital by June 24. IMD officials are confident the seasonal rains are right on schedule, supported by favorable moisture and wind conditions.

RK Jenamani, senior weather scientist at IMD, said the monsoon’s northern limit now includes most of Himachal Pradesh, the entire Ladakh and Kashmir region, major parts of Jammu, and parts of Punjab. Delhi, along with Haryana, Chandigarh, and western UP, is next in line.

So far, though, Sunday passed with barely a drizzle.

That didn’t stop officials from sounding the alarm. The yellow alert, which warns residents of possible heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds, remains in effect till Tuesday. Commuters are advised to brace for possible delays. Local authorities are also prepping for potential waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Rain in the Forecast, Air in the Clear

Even without the monsoon’s full arrival, the city’s air quality has shown rare signs of improvement. In fact, Delhi’s been breathing a little easier lately.

For five days straight now, air quality in the capital has hovered in the “satisfactory” category. On Sunday at 4 p.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured 92 on the 0–500 scale. By Delhi standards, that’s practically fresh air.

Officials credit the improvement to two things: light rain in parts of the NCR region and some much-needed surface-level winds.

Punjabi Bagh stood out as the cleanest pocket in the city, logging an AQI of just 62. That’s as good as it gets for this time of year.

Just one line here: the mood is cautiously optimistic.

Pollution Crackdown Drives Cleaner Skies

Behind the cleaner air, there’s been a quiet but firm crackdown on polluters. The Delhi government says enforcement has picked up speed over the past few days—and the numbers back that up.

In the last 24 hours alone:

• 211 old or illegal vehicles were impounded across the city

• 11,157 pollution-related challans were issued to offenders

That’s not just random targeting. Authorities are working from real-time AQI data and surveillance teams stationed at key pollution hotspots.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi’s environment minister, said in a statement that the city’s fight for clean air is starting to pay off. “Our strict action on old vehicles and field-level monitoring is producing measurable results. From citywide improvements to local successes like Punjabi Bagh, Delhi is steadily moving towards a cleaner air reality,” he said.

Below is a snapshot of pollution enforcement over the past week:

Mixed Signals as Monsoon Stalls Before Arrival

Despite the forecasts, Sunday stayed mostly dry. No significant weather activity was recorded through the day, leading some to wonder if the IMD’s estimates might be off by a whisker.

Still, the skies did turn a hazy gray by late afternoon, and gusts of cool wind swept through parts of Central and South Delhi. That could be a sign of what’s coming—slow, but sure.

Weather experts say such pauses before the monsoon finally settles in aren’t unusual. Delhi often witnesses brief dry spells or scattered clouds before the real rains begin.

Sometimes, that wait feels longer than it really is.

What Delhiites Can Expect This Week

With the yellow alert extended till Tuesday, the city is prepping for everything from strong winds to urban flooding. MCD and NDMC teams have been put on standby. Drainage teams were seen inspecting chokepoints in low-lying areas across East and South Delhi.

Residents in high-traffic zones like ITO, Lajpat Nagar, and Outer Ring Road are being asked to avoid non-essential travel during peak hours on Monday and Tuesday.

Here’s a rough outline of the next 48 hours:

• Monday: Cloudy skies with possible light showers in the evening. Winds up to 30–40 kmph.

• Tuesday: Moderate rain with thunderstorms expected by afternoon or evening. Winds could touch 50 kmph in gusty spells.

• Wednesday: Monsoon likely to be fully established. Light rain through the day.

Meanwhile, farmers in nearby Haryana and western UP are preparing for sowing activities. For them, the monsoon isn’t just about weather—it’s about survival.