Delhi records second-highest May rainfall since 1901

New Delhi experienced its second-highest single-day rainfall in May since 1901, with 77 mm recorded at Safdarjung between 2:30 am and 8:30 am on Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The record remains 119.3 mm on May 20, 2021. The torrential downpour, driven by converging moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, resulted in widespread disruptions, including four deaths in Najafgarh, traffic chaos, and major flight delays.
“Moisture and wind convergence over the region – fed by both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal – along with persistently favourable synoptic conditions in the lower and middle tropospheric levels, triggered the heavy rain,” the IMD said.
The rainfall was accompanied by strong southeasterly winds and storm conditions that peaked at 80 kmph at Safdarjung. Other weather stations in the city also saw high wind speeds: Pragati Maidan recorded 78 kmph, and Palam 74 kmph.
Temperatures across Delhi plummeted sharply following the storm. “At Lodhi Road, the temperature dropped from 28.2°C at 5:15 am to 20.7°C at 5:30 am. Similarly, at Jaffarpur, it fell from 28.4°C to 19°C,” said IMD scientist R.K. Jenamani. The city had seen only 10.2 mm rainfall since January 1, making Friday’s weather an extreme event. The monthly average for May stands at just 30.7 mm.
Rainfall totals from other parts of Delhi included 78 mm at Lodhi Road, 71.5 mm each at Pragati Maidan and Pitampura, and 67.5 mm at Jaffarpur.
The severe weather turned fatal in Najafgarh’s Kharkhari village, where four members of a family — Jyoti and her three children — died after a tree collapsed on a tubewell structure during the storm. Despite rescue efforts, all four were declared dead at Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital. The chief minister’s Office announced Rs 25 lakh in ex-gratia relief to the family. “The relief would be given to victim’s family head Ajay,” it said in a post on X.
Over 100 flights were delayed and at least 40 diverted as a result of the storm, while traffic in several parts of Delhi was disrupted due to waterlogging. Affected areas included Dwarka, Khanpur, South Extension, Minto Road, and Lajpat Nagar.
In South Delhi, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road near Tughlaqabad and Sangam Vihar’s Neem Chowk Road were submerged, adding to traffic snarls. Waterlogging at ITO, one of Delhi's busiest intersections, led to major traffic congestion.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Majnu ka Tilla to inspect the situation and expressed dissatisfaction with the response. “Things won't work like this,” she told officials, urging immediate action to address waterlogged spots. PWD Minister Parvesh Verma also visited Minto Bridge to assess the conditions.
According to Skymet Weather’s Mahesh Palawat, the rainstorm was a result of pre-monsoon thundercloud formation triggered by recent high temperatures above 40°C and rising moisture levels. “These phenomena generally occur during the early morning or late evening hours,” he said. Similar weather is expected to continue for about a week, with no heatwave forecast and maximum temperatures likely to stay below 40°C.