Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Delhi Records Wettest First Week of August in 15 Years
Delhi is a very big city in India.
In the first week of August, it rained more than it has in that week in the last 15 years.
The weather office, called the India Meteorological Department, sent out a red alert, which is a very serious warning.
The rain filled the roads with water, in some places up to four feet deep.
Cars got stuck, and many people were trapped in long traffic jams and had trouble getting home.
The heavy rain also made the weather much cooler than usual for August.
The rain was caused by several weather systems, including the monsoon trough and a western disturbance.
The air in the city stayed clean, with an air quality rating of 'satisfactory'.
Weather experts say the heavy rain is expected to slow down, with light rain likely over the next two days.
The wet spell may continue until August 10.
Delhi received 127 mm of rainfall between August 1 and 7, its wettest first week of August since 2011.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi as heavy rain submerged arterial roads under up to four feet of water.
Pushp Vihar logged the highest rainfall at 111.5 mm (one report says 147.5 mm), followed by Chhatarpur at 104.5 mm (one report says 131 mm).
Maximum temperatures ranged between 26.7°C and 27.5°C, around 5.7°C to 7.3°C below normal for August.
IMD attributed the rain to an active monsoon trough, a low-pressure area over southwest Uttar Pradesh and a western disturbance; rainfall is expected to ease from Saturday.
- Who
- Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (including Gurgaon and Noida), and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which issued alerts and tracked the rainfall.
- What
- Delhi recorded its wettest first week of August in 15 years, with 127 mm of rain causing waterlogging, flooded roads and major traffic disruption.
- When
- First week of August 2026, with the heaviest rain on Friday, August 7.
- Where
- Delhi and the National Capital Region, including Gurgaon and Noida, and Delhi stations such as Safdarjung, Pushp Vihar, Chhatarpur, Ayanagar and Palam.
- Why
- The heavy rain was triggered by an active monsoon trough, a low-pressure area over southwest Uttar Pradesh with an associated cyclonic circulation, and a western disturbance affecting northwest India.
- Total rainfall (August 1-7)
- 127 mm, wettest first week of August since 2011
- Alert issued
- Red alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD); yellow alert for Saturday
- Highest rainfall stations
- Pushp Vihar 111.5 mm (one report: 147.5 mm); Chhatarpur 104.5 mm (one report: 131 mm)
- Maximum temperatures
- 26.7°C to 27.5°C, 5.7 to 7.3 degrees below normal
- Safdarjung maximum temperature
- 27.5°C, 6.7 degrees below normal
- Air quality index (AQI)
- 63, categorized as 'satisfactory'
- Rainfall excess at Ayanagar
- 124.3 mm, 235 per cent above normal
- Forecast
- Rainfall expected to decrease from Saturday, with light rain over the next two days; wet spell likely till August 10
