Delhi hit by rain, IMD issues red alert, flooding roads

Heavy monsoon rains inundated large parts of Delhi on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, causing widespread waterlogging, severe traffic disruptions, and prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue its highest-level red alert for the capital. The downpour, which began in the morning and continued through the day, flooded major roads and markets, bringing much of the city to a standstill during the morning commute.

The India Meteorological Department warned of thunderstorms, lightning, and intense rainfall throughout the day after upgrading its alert from orange to red. Tuesday marked the rainiest day of the year so far for Delhi and the coldest July day in three years. The city's base weather station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 25.5 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees below the seasonal average.

Severe waterlogging was reported across numerous key locations, including Connaught Place, Janpath, Lutyens Delhi, Bharat Mandapam Road, Barakhamba Road, Mathura Road near ITO, and Kalindi Kunj. In the bustling Sadar Bazar wholesale market, knee-deep water affected schoolchildren, office workers, and shoppers, while rainwater entered shops and restaurants on Connaught...