Yellow Alert in Delhi, Orange Warning for Intense Showers; Deep Depression Over Bay of Bengal to Trigger Widespread Rainfall in Eastern, Central and Northern States

Delhi-NCR witnessed a refreshing spell of monsoon rain on Tuesday morning, offering much-needed relief from days of humid and uncomfortable weather. The rainfall brought down temperatures, improved air quality and eased the oppressive heat that had gripped the national capital in recent days. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that the rainfall activity is far from over, issuing a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday while placing several parts of Delhi under an orange alert for the next few hours due to the possibility of moderate to heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

At the same time, a deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify monsoon activity across large parts of eastern, central and northern India, raising the risk of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, flooding in low-lying areas and transport disruptions.

Delhi Receives Heavy Morning Showers

Rainfall began early Tuesday across several parts of Delhi-NCR, leading to cloudy skies and pleasant weather conditions. According to the IMD, the showers were accompanied by gusty winds and occasional thunder, significantly improving outdoor conditions after several days of high humidity.

Weather observations till 8:30 AM showed varying rainfall across different monitoring stations:

• Ridge: 37.6 mm

• Lodhi Road: 36.7 mm

• Safdarjung: 32.4 mm

• Ayanagar: 4.0 mm

• Palam: 0.8 mm

The rainfall helped lower daytime temperatures, with the IMD forecasting the maximum temperature between 32°C and 34°C, while the minimum is expected to remain between 23°C and 25°C over the next two days.

The weather department has warned that additional spells of rain, lightning and gusty winds are likely to continue through Wednesday.

Traffic and Daily Life May Face Temporary Disruptions

While the rain has brought welcome relief from the heat, it has also increased the possibility of traffic congestion, waterlogging and reduced visibility during peak hours.

The IMD has advised residents to:

• Check traffic updates before travelling.

• Avoid waterlogged roads and underpasses.

• Stay indoors during thunderstorms whenever possible.

• Exercise caution while driving due to slippery road conditions.

• Secure loose outdoor objects that could be displaced by strong winds.

Municipal authorities are also expected to remain on alert to tackle localized flooding in vulnerable areas.

Deep Depression Over Bay of Bengal Strengthens Monsoon System

A major weather system developing over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to significantly influence rainfall patterns across eastern India over the next 48 hours.

According to the IMD, the deep depression is likely to move northwards, skirt Sagar Island, and cross the West Bengal–North Odisha coast between Balasore and Canning, close to Haldia, on Tuesday.

Such systems typically enhance moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal and intensify monsoon activity across inland states, increasing the likelihood of prolonged heavy rainfall.

Heavy to Extremely Heavy Rainfall Forecast in Eastern India

Under the influence of the deep depression, the IMD has forecast:

• Odisha: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts.

• Chhattisgarh: Intense rainfall with the possibility of localized flooding.

• Gangetic West Bengal: Very heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

• Jharkhand: Heavy rainfall likely over several districts.

The weather agency has also warned of thundersqualls with wind speeds ranging between 50 and 70 kmph over parts of Odisha, which could affect transport, electricity supply and agricultural operations.

Monsoon to Stay Active Across Northern and Central India

Apart from Delhi, widespread rainfall activity is expected to continue across much of northern India over the coming days.

States likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall include:

• Himachal Pradesh

• Uttarakhand

• Jammu & Kashmir

• Punjab

• Haryana

• Delhi

• Uttar Pradesh

In central India, rainfall is expected to remain active over:

• Madhya Pradesh

• Chhattisgarh

• Vidarbha

These regions may witness intermittent heavy showers, increasing the risk of flash floods in low-lying areas.

Northeast and Western India Also Under Rain Watch

The monsoon is expected to remain vigorous over the Northeast, with widespread rainfall forecast across:

• Assam

• Meghalaya

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Nagaland

• Manipur

• Mizoram

• Tripura

Meanwhile, western India is also likely to experience sustained monsoon activity.

Heavy rainfall has been forecast for:

• Maharashtra

• Gujarat

• Konkan

• Goa

Southern states including Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh are expected to continue receiving widespread seasonal rainfall.

Impact on Agriculture and Water Resources

The active monsoon phase is expected to provide a boost to the ongoing Kharif sowing season, replenishing soil moisture levels and improving water availability for crops such as paddy, cotton, soybean and pulses.

Reservoir levels across several river basins may also improve, strengthening irrigation supplies ahead of the latter half of the agricultural season. However, prolonged heavy rainfall in certain regions could temporarily disrupt farming activities and damage standing crops in flood-prone districts.

Authorities Urge Public to Remain Alert

The IMD has advised residents across affected states to closely monitor official weather updates as rainfall intensity may change rapidly depending on the movement of the depression.

Citizens have been urged to:

• Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall.

• Stay away from flooded roads and rivers.

• Follow advisories issued by local administrations.

• Keep emergency supplies ready in areas vulnerable to flooding.

• Monitor weather forecasts before planning long-distance journeys.

Outlook

With a strong weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal and monsoon currents remaining active across the country, India is likely to witness widespread rainfall over the next several days. While the showers will provide relief from high temperatures and support agricultural activity, authorities are also preparing for localized flooding, transport disruptions and strong winds in vulnerable regions.

The evolving weather pattern underscores the need for continued vigilance as the southwest monsoon enters another active phase, bringing both seasonal relief and weather-related challenges across multiple states.