Rain Returns to Delhi-NCR After Monsoon Exit, More Showers Forecast

Rain and thunderstorms returned to Delhi-NCR on Saturday, September 26, bringing a fresh spell of unsettled weather just three days after the southwest monsoon officially withdrew from the capital.

Cloudy skies, lightning and gusty winds affected parts of Delhi during the day and evening. The India Meteorological Department had forecast light to moderate rainfall, with winds generally reaching 30 to 40 kmph and occasionally strengthening to around 50 kmph during thunderstorms.

The weather change extended across the wider National Capital Region, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad. Within Delhi, a yellow alert covered northern, northwestern, northeastern, western, central and eastern areas, including Shahdara.

Why did rain return after the monsoon withdrew?

The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon does not guarantee an immediate end to rainfall. It indicates that the seasonal monsoon circulation and moisture pattern have retreated from a region after a sustained dry period. Separate weather systems can still bring moisture, cloud formation and thunderstorms.

The latest spell has been linked to the interaction between a depression moving from northeast Madhya Pradesh and adjoining northern Chhattisgarh towards southeast Uttar Pradesh, and a weak western disturbance over northern India. Together, the systems have helped draw moisture into parts of north and central India.

Delhi’s monsoon withdrawal was declared on September 23, two days before its normal withdrawal date of September 25. Saturday’s rain was therefore a post-withdrawal weather event rather than a reversal of the declared retreat.

IMD outlook for September 27 and 28

For Sunday, September 27, the IMD expects Delhi to remain generally cloudy, with moderate rain possible. Temperatures at the Safdarjung station are forecast to range from about 22 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius.

The broader forecast indicates fairly widespread rain across Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh on Sunday. Isolated locations in the region could receive heavier rain or experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of around 40 to 50 kmph.

Rainfall is expected to become less widespread on Monday, September 28. Delhi’s forecast calls for a generally cloudy sky with light rain and temperatures between approximately 22 and 32 degrees Celsius. No weather warning was listed for the capital for Monday, although isolated showers could still affect travel plans.

The strongest conditions in the larger weather system are expected outside Delhi-NCR. Parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand face a greater possibility of intense rainfall, while thunderstorms may also affect Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and sections of Madhya Pradesh. People travelling from Delhi towards hill districts or rain-affected areas of Uttar Pradesh should check local warnings before departure.

Possible impact on commuters and travellers

Even short spells of moderate rain can slow traffic on Delhi-NCR’s busiest roads, particularly at underpasses, low-lying junctions and stretches with poor drainage. Reduced visibility, slippery surfaces and sudden water accumulation may lengthen road journeys across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

Metro services usually offer a more predictable option during rain, but passengers should allow additional time to reach stations. Bus users, cyclists and pedestrians may face delays during thunderstorms, while gusty winds can make travel near trees, temporary structures and unsecured signboards unsafe.

Passengers heading to airports or railway stations should leave earlier than usual and monitor transport updates. Localised thunderstorms can produce sharply different conditions across the region, meaning one part of NCR may remain relatively dry while another receives a heavy spell.

Practical precautions

• Avoid sheltering under trees, metal structures or exposed poles during lightning.
• Do not drive or walk through waterlogged stretches when the depth or road condition is unclear.
• Reduce speed, keep greater braking distance and use headlights during heavy rain or poor visibility.
• Secure loose objects on balconies, terraces and construction sites before gusty winds develop.
• Keep phones charged and follow official nowcasts, especially before long road journeys.
• Delay outdoor work or recreation when thunder is audible, even if rain has not started nearby.

Conditions are expected to improve after September 28, with clearer and drier weather likely towards the end of the month. Until then, residents should be prepared for brief but potentially disruptive spells of rain across Delhi-NCR.