Delhi crosses annual rainfall normal as more showers are forecast

Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, has logged 780 mm of rainfall so far in 2026—above the city’s annual normal of 774.4 mm.

Friday’s spell brought 32.6 mm of rain at Safdarjung between 8.30am and 5.30pm, while Palam recorded 75.6 mm and a two-minute squall with winds touching 76 kmph at around 3.37pm. Naraina received 54 mm, Janakpuri 48.5 mm and Lodhi Road 34.6 mm.

Water accumulated near IGI Airport, AIIMS, Connaught Place and Anand Vihar, where traffic slowed sharply. Eleven flights were diverted amid the weather.

IMD scientist D R Pattanaik attributed the widespread rain to the interaction of a well-marked low-pressure area, the monsoon trough and a western disturbance. Of Delhi’s year-to-date total, 686.5 mm has fallen since the monsoon began on June 1.

The weather department has issued a yellow alert for light to moderate showers on Saturday, followed by light rain on Sunday. Rain is not forecast from Monday to Thursday. Saturday’s maximum temperature is expected to be around 29-31°C.