Thunderstorm Hits Delhi, Triggering 12°C Temperature Plunge Across City

June 28, 2026 4 min read

Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept through Delhi on Thursday evening, bringing a dramatic drop in temperature after days of oppressive heat. The India Meteorological Department reported wind speeds reaching 50 kilometres per hour as the storm moved across the capital region, toppling trees and disrupting evening rush hour traffic. Officials confirmed the temperature fell sharply within a span of two hours as the rain swept away the accumulated heat that had gripped the city.

Storm Arrives After Days of Scorching Heat

The weather system made landfall over Delhi around 5:30 pm, catching many residents off guard during their evening commute. Witnesses described sudden darkness as thick clouds blocked the sun, followed by intense lightning and thunder that rattled windows across several neighbourhoods. The IMD had issued a yellow alert earlier in the day, warning of possible thunderstorm activity, but the intensity exceeded many forecasts. Local media captured footage of dust storms preceding the rain, a common precursor to such weather events in northern India during the transition season.

Power cuts were reported in pockets of South Delhi and parts of the NCR region as strong winds damaged electricity infrastructure. The BSES reported roughly 200 complaints of downed power lines within the first hour of the storm. Emergency services were deployed to several locations where fallen trees blocked roads. The Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories asking residents to avoid several key corridors during the evening hours.

Temperature Plummets Across the Capital

The mercury dropped from 38 degrees Celsius in the afternoon to 26 degrees by 7 pm, a fall of 12 degrees that residents immediately welcomed after the uncomfortable week of heat. The IMD recorded the sharpest change at its Safdarjung observatory, where temperatures hit a low of 25.8 degrees around 8 pm. Before the storm arrived, Delhi had recorded four consecutive days above 40 degrees, with Gurugram and Noida reporting even higher readings. Weather scientists attributed the dramatic cooling to the arrival of a western disturbance interacting with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal.

Relief Spreads Across Neighbouring Areas

The temperature drop extended well beyond central Delhi. Gurgaon's automated weather station recorded a 10-degree fall within 90 minutes, while Noida residents reported similar conditions. The relief was palpable on social media, with thousands sharing videos of the rain and commenting on the sudden change in weather. Children rushed out of homes to play in the rain, while adults emerged onto balconies to enjoy the cooler air. The immediate comfort after days of heat exhaustion brought visible relief across the cityscape.

Transport and Infrastructure Disrupted

The Delhi Metro temporarily suspended operations on the Yellow Line between Qutub Minar and HUDA City Centre due to heavy rainfall and low visibility. Several buses were diverted from their regular routes as waterlogging made roads impassable in low-lying areas. The Delhi International Airport reported minor delays for departing flights but confirmed no major disruptions to operations. Passengers at New Delhi Railway Station faced delays on several outbound trains due to signal failures caused by the storm. The Northern Railway zone confirmed at least six trains arrived behind schedule by an average of 30 minutes.

Emergency Services Respond to Storm Damage

The Delhi Fire Service received over 50 calls related to fallen trees and structural damage within the first three hours of the storm. Fire officials said three incidents involved trees falling on parked vehicles, though no injuries were reported. The city's municipal corporations deployed clearance teams across all zones to remove debris from main roads and residential areas. Doctors at several hospitals reported a slight uptick in patients seeking treatment for weather-related respiratory issues, though medical staff said the rain brought more relief than harm to public health in the short term.

The relief was particularly welcome among construction workers and street vendors who had struggled through the heatwave with minimal protection. Labourers at building sites in Dwarka and Rohini said the rain allowed them to resume work after sunset hours that had previously been impossible. Small business owners in popular market areas reported increased footfall as residents emerged to shop in the cooler evening air.

What Comes Next

The IMD has forecast another spell of rain for Delhi over the weekend, with officials predicting partly cloudy skies and maximum temperatures hovering around 32 degrees for the next three days. However, meteorologists cautioned that the relief may be temporary, as the summer season typically extends well into June. The central government has asked state authorities to remain alert for continued thunderstorm activity across northern India. Residents in vulnerable areas, particularly those living near dilapidated structures or in low-lying colonies, have been advised to take precautions during future storm events.

Weather experts tracking the system said the current pattern suggests Delhi may experience alternating periods of heat and rain through the coming weeks. Farmers in the surrounding states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh welcomed the rainfall for its impact on standing crops, though officials noted that excessive wind speed could cause damage to sensitive vegetables and orchards. The next 48 hours will be crucial for determining whether Delhi's brief respite from the heat develops into a more sustained change in weather patterns.