Delhi Braces for More Rain as IMD Issues Orange Alert After Hottest July Day in Two Years

July 6, 2026

New Delhi: Delhi is expected to receive more rainfall on Monday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, forecasting a generally cloudy sky with moderate showers across the national capital. The alert comes a day after the city recorded its hottest July day in two years.

IMD Forecasts Moderate Rain Across Delhi

On Sunday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius, around 2 degrees above the seasonal average, making it the highest July maximum since July 11, 2024, when the mercury touched 38.8 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature settled at 29.2 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal, and the highest July minimum since July 2, 2024, when it stood at 30.7 degrees Celsius.

Despite the scorching heat, moderate rainfall in several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) provided temporary relief from humid conditions.

According to the IMD, Monday is likely to witness a generally cloudy sky with moderate rainfall, with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Chhatarpur Records Highest Rainfall

Among Delhi-NCR areas, Chhatarpur recorded the highest rainfall with 49 mm till 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, leading to waterlogging and traffic disruptions in parts of the locality.

Neighbouring regions also witnessed rainfall, with Gurugram receiving 35 mm, Mehrauli 18 mm, Greater Noida 17 mm, Najafgarh 8 mm, and Janakpuri 7 mm.

Relative humidity stood at 92 per cent at 5.30 p.m., contributing to uncomfortable weather conditions despite the showers.

Air Quality Remains Moderate

Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘moderate’ category.

According to the Sameer app, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 155 at 8 p.m. on Sunday. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 101 and 200 falls under the moderate category.

Weather experts attributed the changing weather pattern to the seasonal monsoon trough shifting towards central India due to a low-pressure area over Odisha and an associated cyclonic circulation extending across parts of Madhya Pradesh and south Sindh.

They said the monsoon trough is expected to gradually move back towards Delhi and the Indo-Gangetic plains over the coming days, increasing the chances of more widespread monsoon rainfall across the region.