Several parts of Delhi witnessed light to moderate rainfall on Tuesday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for multiple districts, while other areas remain under an orange alert.
According to the IMD, the weather warnings will remain in effect until 1:30 pm, during which residents and commuters have been advised to stay cautious due to the likelihood of intense weather activity.
The rainfall is expected to offer some respite from Delhi’s worsening air quality. On Tuesday morning, the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped back into the ‘very poor’ category, with the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app recording a reading of 310. This comes after a short-lived improvement earlier this week following prolonged rainfall.
Areas under red alert
The IMD has placed North Delhi, North West Delhi, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, West Delhi, and South West Delhi under a red alert. These areas are likely to experience moderate to heavy rain, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and possible hailstorms.
Wind speeds are expected to range between 40 and 60 kmph over the next few hours, increasing the risk of traffic disruptions and localized damage. Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors where possible.
Meanwhile, South East Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi, Shahdara, and East Delhi are under an orange alert, with forecasts indicating moderate rainfall and thunderstorms, as per the IMD’s latest nowcast.
Airlines issue travel advisories
Amid the deteriorating weather conditions, major airlines including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet have issued advisories for passengers travelling to and from Delhi.
The airlines cautioned that flight schedules may be affected due to adverse weather across the Delhi-NCR region and advised travelers to check flight status and plan their journeys accordingly.