Delhi sees coldest Republic Day in 5 years; IMD issues yellow alert – light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds forecast
3 min read
Delhi woke up to an unusually sharp cold snap on Republic Day and is now bracing for a quick turn in weather: the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across the capital region, with red/orange alerts issued for some districts. Officials say the change is driven by a western disturbance that has introduced moisture and instability into north India.
Below is a reader-friendly breakdown of what happened, why it matters and how residents should respond.
The essentials – what you need to know
- Cold morning: Parts of Delhi recorded their coldest Republic Day in five years, with Safdarjung (the official base station) reporting temperatures well below seasonal averages.
- IMD alert: A yellow alert covers Delhi-NCR for one or two spells of light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and gusty winds up to 30–40 km/h (primarily during the forenoon and again later in the day). The IMD bulletin sets out area-by-area forecasts across Delhi zones.
- Local severity: Officials have also flagged red and orange alerts for certain districts – indicating localized intense conditions in places – so conditions will not be uniform across the city.
- Air quality: Despite the rain, air quality remains a concern: AQI values in parts of Delhi were reported in the ‘poor’ band, which means sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Why this happened – a short explainer
A western disturbance moving across north India has brought in a short burst of moist, unstable air. Combined with lingering cold low-level temperatures, that setup produces brief but sometimes intense winter spells – including light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds – and can briefly lower daytime temperatures even after a frigid night. Meteorologists link the current turn to that system.
Timeline & expected progression
- Early morning (Republic Day): Coldest readings recorded in several localities; shallow fog in pockets.
- Forenoon: IMD warned of one or two spells of light rain with thunderstorms and lightning – first window for showers.
- Afternoon → night: A second window of brief rain/thunder is likely; winds may pick up to 30–40 km/h during active phases.
- Short-lived event: IMD forecast indicates the disturbance will move on, so conditions should normalise within a day or two.
What this means for Delhi residents (practical impacts)
- Commuting: Expect wet roads and reduced visibility during spells of rain and thunder. Motorists should slow down, watch for water on underpasses and allow extra travel time.
- Power and trees: Gusty winds (30–40 km/h) can cause tree branches to fall and create short power disturbances in exposed areas – avoid parking under large trees.
- Health: The morning cold plus pollution (AQI in the poor band in places) can aggravate respiratory conditions; vulnerable people should limit outdoor exposure and carry medicines.
- Outdoor plans: If you have outdoor events today, keep a contingency: brief showers and thunderstorms can interrupt activities with little notice.
Quick checklist – how to prepare (do this now)
- Carry an umbrella or raincoat; keep waterproof covers for bags and electronics.
- Secure loose balcony or terrace items that wind could blow away.
- Drivers: reduce speed in wet patches and switch on headlights during reduced visibility.
- Keep medicines handy if you suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments; consider masks outdoors while AQI is poor.
Background context – is this unusual?
Delhi often sees such short winter disturbances in late January, but the cold reading on Republic Day – labelled the coldest in five years at certain stations – is noteworthy and amplified public attention. While the rain will give temporary relief from smog in some pockets, the combination of sudden showers and gusty winds increases short-term hazards (fallen branches, patchy waterlogging).
Keep updated
IMD updates its bulletins frequently; check the official IMD Delhi forecast and local municipal alerts for ward-level warnings and any school or traffic advisories. We will monitor IMD updates and city alerts and publish fresh guidance if the situation changes.
Bottom line: Enjoy the brief break from the deep chill, but treat today as a variable-weather day: expect intermittent rain, thunder and brisk winds, carry basic rain gear, and take precautions if you are in vulnerable groups or travelling during peak change windows. India Prime Times will continue to follow IMD advisories and local reports – stay tuned for live updates.
