Heavy Rain Hits Delhi: Relief After Heat & India’s Rainfall Trends

Delhi woke up to heavy rainfall on the first day of March 2025, bringing much-needed relief after an unusually warm February. The rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, disrupted daily life but improved air quality significantly. Meanwhile, other parts of India also experienced varying weather patterns, with heavy rain reported in several northern and central regions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that a Western Disturbance caused the sudden weather change in Delhi-NCR.

February had been exceptionally warm, with an average maximum temperature of 26.7°C and record-breaking nighttime temperatures. On February 27, Delhi recorded its hottest February night in 74 years, with the minimum temperature at 19.5°C.

On March 1, heavy rain lashed areas like India Gate, Teen Murti, and Central Secretariat. Strong winds at 30-40 km/h accompanied the downpour, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas and traffic disruptions. However, the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category (111), offering some respite from pollution.

Rainfall Across India
The weather shift wasn’t limited to Delhi. Several states across India experienced rainfall due to the same Western Disturbance:

• Haryana and Rajasthan: Heavy rain was reported in parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. The IMD issued hailstorm warnings for Rewari (Haryana) and Bhiwadi (Rajasthan).
• Uttar Pradesh: Cities like Lucknow and Kanpur saw moderate to heavy rainfall, with some areas experiencing thunderstorms.
• Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand: These hill states witnessed snowfall in higher altitudes and rain in lower regions, disrupting travel but boosting tourism prospects.
• Madhya Pradesh: Central India also saw sporadic showers, providing relief from rising temperatures

In Delhi, the rain caused significant waterlogging in areas such as Okhla underpass and Dwarka. Tragically, a man drowned at the Okhla underpass due to water accumulation. Traffic crawled across major roads as commuters struggled to navigate flooded streets.

The heavy downpour also affected infrastructure. At Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1, a canopy partially collapsed due to strong winds and continuous rain, resulting in one fatality and injuries to a few others. Power outages were reported in several neighborhoods as authorities implemented precautionary shutdowns to prevent electrocution.

IMD’s Forecast for March
The IMD predicts that March will likely be warmer than usual across India, with several heatwave days expected later in the month. However, intermittent rainfall may continue in northern states over the next few days.

The heavy rain on March 1 brought both relief and challenges for Delhiites. While it improved air quality and offered respite from February’s heat, it also exposed vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure.

Across India, similar weather patterns highlighted the diverse impacts of changing climatic conditions. As March unfolds, residents across the country brace for more unpredictable weather swings.