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Delhi-NCR Weather Update: Yellow Alert Issued, Moderate Rainfall Expected Until June 21

Samira Vishwas | June 17, 2025 10:03 AM CST

Weather Update: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi-NCR, forecasting light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds up to 60 kmph on Monday and Tuesday. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 36–38°C, offering some relief from the recent heatwave.

On Sunday, Delhi experienced its most intense storm of the season, the second-highest since 2018, causing significant disruptions, including a collapsed mobile tower in Safdarjung Enclave, uprooted trees, and power outages. The IMD attributed the storm to a combination of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, a western disturbance, a cyclonic circulation over north Rajasthan, and an eastward-extending trough. This brought a notable drop in temperature, with Safdarjung recording a maximum of 35.6°C, down from 41.8°C the previous day. The “feels-like” temperature also decreased from 51°C to 43°C.

The yellow alert extends until June 19, with similar weather conditions expected to persist until June 21. According to the IMD, light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds of 50–100 kmph, was recorded across the city on Sunday, with hail reported in Safdarjung. Visibility dropped from 4,000 meters at 2 AM to 1,500 meters at 3 AM due to dust. Despite cooler temperatures, humidity levels remained high at 65%, with a wet-bulb temperature of 28.1°C, which is below the critical threshold of 32°C that affects the body’s ability to cool itself. Daytime temperatures on Monday are expected to range from 35–37°C, with nighttime temperatures between 22–24°C.

Air Quality Improvement: The storm significantly improved Delhi’s air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 140 (moderate) from 156. As a result, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-I restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Sunday, citing sustained moderate AQI levels and favorable weather forecasts.

Advisory: Residents are advised to stay cautious, avoid unnecessary travel during thunderstorms, and stay updated with IMD forecasts to ensure safety.