3 weeks ago
IMD Fixes Delhi Rain Data Error, Explains How Rainfall Measured
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is a weather agency that measures how much rain falls.
IMD uses tools called rain gauges, which collect rainwater and measure its depth in millimetres.
Some gauges are read by people, while others send data automatically by computer.
Delhi has several rain-measuring stations, including Safdarjung, Palam, and Lodhi Road.
Recently, IMD said Delhi had received more rain in August than normal.
Then IMD said that number was wrong and fixed it.
After the fix, Delhi had received less rain than expected for August.
IMD counts a day's rain from 8:30 in the morning until 8:30 the next morning.
Measuring rain that already fell is different from forecasting rain that might fall.
That is why the agency can correct old numbers even while issuing new weather alerts.
IMD initially reported 234.5mm of rain for Delhi in August's first 10 days, more than the month's long-period average of 233.1mm.
The agency later corrected the cumulative figure to 197.2mm, leaving the Capital about 36mm short of its expected August rainfall.
IMD admitted that its earlier Delhi rainfall figure had been incorrect.
Rainfall is measured using manual rain gauges, Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs), and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across Delhi stations including Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar.
Daily rainfall figures cover the 24-hour period ending at 8:30am, and rainfall observation is separate from weather forecasting.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD), India's national weather agency.
- What
- IMD corrected an erroneous cumulative August rainfall figure for Delhi, reducing it from 234.5mm to 197.2mm, and explained how rainfall data is measured and compiled.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- When
- The correction appeared in IMD's Tuesday bulletin, with the report published on August 12, 2026.
- Why
- Because the earlier cumulative rainfall figure was incorrect; after the correction, Delhi's August rainfall was about 36mm below its long-period average.
Key facts
- Initial reported figure
- 234.5mm
- Corrected cumulative figure
- 197.2mm
- August long-period average
- 233.1mm
- Shortfall after correction
- About 36mm
- Rainfall reporting window
- 24 hours ending 8:30am
- Delhi monitoring stations
- Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar
- Weather alert issued
- Orange alert for light/moderate rain with heavy showers in some pockets
- Safdarjung reading by 5:30pm
- 4mm










