Delhi, India June 29, 2024 – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange alert’ for the national capital, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days. This alert follows Delhi’s highest single day rainfall in 88 years, recorded on Friday.
Record Breaking Rainfall
Delhi experienced an unprecedented downpour of 228.1 mm on Friday, marking the highest rainfall for the month of June since 1936. The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, reported this figure, which is more than three times the city’s average June rainfall of 74.1 mm. Meteorologists noted that such extreme weather events are increasingly common in the national capital, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness and responsive measures.
Weather Forecast for Delhi
Saturday: The IMD predicts a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain and thunderstorms.
Sunday and Monday: An ‘orange alert’ has been issued, with forecasts of moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds at speeds of 30-40 kmph.
Broader Rainfall Predictions for Northern India
IMD has also provided a detailed forecast for other states in northern India over the next five days:
June 29:
Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and East India.
Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Isolated very heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and isolated heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
June 30:
Isolated very heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, and Odisha.
Isolated heavy rainfall over Punjab and Delhi.
Isolated very heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
July 1:
Isolated very heavy rainfall over Haryana-Chandigarh and East Rajasthan.
Isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
July 2:
Isolated very heavy rainfall over East Rajasthan.
Isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Isolated very heavy rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh.
July 3:
Isolated very heavy rainfall over Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh.
Isolated heavy rainfall over Odisha.
Safety Measures
Residents in Delhi and other affected areas are advised to stay updated with IMD alerts, avoid waterlogged and low-lying areas, and follow safety advisories issued by local authorities. The heavy rainfall poses significant risks, including flooding and disruptions to daily life, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and caution during this period.
The IMD’s alert comes as a critical reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and disaster management systems to protect lives and property.
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