New Delhi: Heavy rain and intense thunderstorms lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Monday, and the India Meteorological Department has upgraded its weather warning from a Yellow to an Orange Alert for Delhi and its surrounding areas.

A moderate dust storm and wind speed of 50-70 kmph are likely, according to IMD. The orange alert will remain in place till 6 pm.

The IMD had issued yellow alerts across parts of India, including Delhi-NCR, warning of light rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds on Monday. Further, there are chances of scattered light rain on Tuesday as well.

In several areas, the sudden intensity of the rain led to immediate waterlogging on key arterial roads, causing the usual Monday evening "rush hour" to start prematurely.

Impact on Commuters 

The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a series of advisories via social media, urging commuters to avoid low-lying underpasses.

Heavy rain combined with dust kicked up by high-velocity winds has reduced visibility to less than 500 meters in parts of the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway.

At Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), several flights were put on hold or diverted as pilots awaited clearer windows for takeoff and landing.

Residents in parts of East Delhi and Noida reported localised power cuts as a precautionary measure due to high-speed winds and sparking overhead cables.

The IMD predicts that intermittent rain and thunderstorms will continue through the night of March 30, 2026. 

While the rain will bring the maximum temperature down to a pleasant 30°C, providing a brief respite from the summer heat, the humidity is expected to rise sharply by tomorrow morning.

Citizens are advised to stay indoors during lightning strikes and avoid standing under trees or temporary structures during the squall.