Delhi has been placed on a red alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) after persistent heavy rain left large areas of the national capital waterlogged on August 24-25, 2026, and affected travel operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
IMD forecast and warnings
The IMD has warned of moderate to heavy rain in the city over the coming days, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds around 30–40 kmph at several places. The department characterised the situation as severe enough to merit a red alert, signalling the expectation of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the capital.
In its public advisories the IMD also highlighted heavy to very heavy rainfall reported across several regions of the country, including:
- Very heavy rainfall — East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Meghalaya, South Interior Karnataka and Kerala.
- Heavy rainfall — Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu.
Air travel impacted
Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were affected on August 25, with airlines reporting cancellations and possible delays. IndiGo issued a travel advisory urging passengers to verify their flight status and to allow extra time to reach the airport because of slower road movement.
"Due to heavy rains in #Delhi, flight operations may be impacted, resulting in possible delays. If you’re travelling today, we recommend checking your flight status on our website or app before leaving for the airport." — IndiGo advisory (tweet).
The airline also advised travellers to plan for additional travel time as continuous rain may cause traffic congestion on major routes to the airport.
On-ground effects and recommended precautions
Persistent downpours have left some roads waterlogged and increased the potential for localized flooding and traffic snarls. The IMD warning should be treated as an active danger signal rather than a routine forecast; a red alert denotes a high likelihood of hazardous weather that may cause significant disruption.
Practical precautions for residents and travellers include:
- Check the latest IMD bulletins and local traffic updates before starting a journey.
- If travelling by air, confirm flight status with the airline and reach the airport early.
- Avoid driving through standing water; visibility may be poor during heavy showers and thunderstorms.
- Stay indoors during thunderstorms to reduce the risk from lightning and falling debris.
- Keep emergency numbers ready and follow directions from local authorities if evacuation or road closures are ordered.
Context and wider monsoon activity
The IMD’s red alert for Delhi comes amid a broader pattern of heavy rainfall across several states. The department recorded very heavy precipitation over parts of east Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Meghalaya, south interior Karnataka and Kerala, while heavy spells were noted in other regions including parts of north India and southern Tamil Nadu. Such concentrated activity can strain urban drainage systems and airport operations when it affects major transport hubs.
Authorities and transport operators in the capital are monitoring the situation. Commuters should expect possible delays on major arterial roads and at transit hubs until the heavy spells ease and drainage improves.
The IMD will continue issuing updated forecasts and alert levels; residents and travellers are advised to follow official channels for the latest information and heed local advisories from civic agencies and airport operators.
Key actions: verify flight status, allow extra travel time, avoid flooded roads, and follow IMD and civic advisories.
