Delhi Rains Today: IMD Issues Red Alert as Monsoon Set to Arrive on July 3 or 4

Rain returned to parts of Delhi on Thursday morning as the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert and forecast more showers over the national capital region. The spell comes as the southwest monsoon moves closer to Delhi after covering several parts of northern and western India, bringing relief from humid conditions but also raising the risk of waterlogging and traffic disruption.

The monsoon is expected to reach Delhi and adjoining areas around July 3 or 4, according to weather experts cited by PTI. If it arrives in that window, it will be the latest onset over the capital in five years. The city is likely to see thunderstorms and rain on most days till July 7, with cloudy skies keeping daytime temperatures near 33 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Delhi Rain Forecast: What The IMD Has Warned

For July 2, the IMD forecast a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain in Delhi. The maximum temperature is expected to settle near 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may remain around 24 degrees Celsius. Between July 3 and July 7, the city is likely to record daily rain or thunderstorms, with the minimum temperature hovering between 23 and 24 degrees Celsius.

The weather pattern is being shaped by two systems. The seasonal monsoon trough is stretching from Punjab towards the Bay of Bengal, while easterly winds from the Bay are expected to strengthen over northwest India. A fresh western disturbance is also likely to affect the region from July 2, which may increase rain activity over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and north Rajasthan.

Mahesh Palawat, Vice President at Skymet Weather, told PTI that monsoon activity over Delhi should pick up once the easterly winds align with the trough. “The monsoon generally advances along the seasonal trough, which currently stretches from Punjab to the Bay of Bengal. The easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal are expected to reach Delhi around July 3 or 4 along with the trough,” he said.

He added that Delhi may receive only isolated spells until the full monsoon setup becomes favourable. Once the winds and trough settle into position, rain activity is expected to increase significantly. For residents, that means the next few days may bring fluctuating spells of rain, cloud cover, sudden showers and localised waterlogging rather than uniform rainfall across the city.

Why Delhi’s monsoon onset is being watched closely

The timing of the monsoon over Delhi matters because it marks a seasonal shift for the wider northwest region. It influences air quality, heat stress, water demand and agricultural activity in adjoining states. The capital usually receives monsoon showers by late June, though the onset date can vary depending on wind patterns, pressure systems and the movement of the monsoon trough.

IMD records show the southwest monsoon reached Delhi on June 25 in 2020. In 2021, it arrived much later, on July 13, the same day it covered the entire country. In 2022, it reached Delhi on June 30. The onset was June 25 in 2023, June 28 in 2024 and June 29 last year.

This year’s expected July 3 or 4 arrival would therefore be later than the past several seasons, except 2021. A delayed onset does not always mean poor rainfall for the season, but it can prolong hot and humid conditions. It can also compress heavy rainfall spells into shorter windows, increasing the risk of urban flooding if drainage systems fail to cope.

Heavy rain leaves trail of damage in several states

While Delhi waits for the monsoon’s formal arrival, heavy rain has already caused disruption in many parts of India. Landslides, flooded roads and transport delays have affected normal life across several regions. At least seven people have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, according to the latest available updates from affected states.

In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rain has triggered landslides and blocked roads in vulnerable hill stretches. The state remains highly exposed during the monsoon because steep slopes, saturated soil and intense rainfall can quickly lead to road cave-ins and flash floods. Authorities typically advise residents and tourists to avoid riverbanks, unstable slopes and non-essential travel during heavy rain alerts.

Karnataka has also reported rain-related deaths and disruption, with several areas facing flooding and local damage. In Maharashtra, intense showers have affected parts of the state, including urban stretches where waterlogging remains a recurring concern. In Navi Mumbai, two girls suffered electric shock from an exposed live wire on a waterlogged road near LP Bridge in Nerul, underlining the risks that follow flooding in cities.

Arunachal Pradesh is dealing with the aftermath of flash floods, while the IMD has warned of heavy rain over parts of south Bengal in the coming days. These warnings indicate that the active monsoon phase is not confined to one region. Multiple weather systems are producing heavy rainfall across the east, west, south and the Himalayan belt.

For Delhi-NCR, the immediate concern will be the intensity and spread of rain between July 2 and July 7. Commuters should expect slower traffic during peak showers, especially at underpasses, low-lying roads and stretches already prone to water accumulation. The weather may bring relief from heat, but authorities and residents will need to remain alert as the monsoon establishes itself over the capital.