IMD Warnings: Your Quick Guide to India’s Latest Weather Alerts
If you live in Delhi, NCR, UP or any part of North India, you’ve probably seen an IMD warning pop up on your phone. Those alerts aren’t just noise – they give you the heads‑up you need to plan your day, avoid traffic jams, and stay safe in heavy rain or storms. Below we break down what the most recent warnings mean, where they’re coming from and how you can use them without getting overwhelmed.
What the Current IMD Alerts Are Telling Us
As of early September, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued several key alerts:
- Delhi‑NCR and surrounding states: Moderate rain with humidity above 60% and temperatures dropping to the mid‑20s°C. Air Quality Index (AQI) has improved to 75, but the department warns of heavier showers later in the day.
- Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan: A orange alert for intense rain, especially in East Rajasthan where isolated very heavy falls are expected. The system driving this is a mix of a Bay of Bengal low and a western disturbance.
- Heavy rainfall alert for North India: The IMD has flagged a broad risk for Delhi, UP, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar. In Uttarkashi the risk of landslides is rising after the soil got saturated.
Each alert comes with a colour code – yellow for moderate, orange for high, and red for very high risk. The red alert currently sits over Noida and parts of Delhi where rainfall peaked at 27 mm in a single evening, flooding basements and choking roads.
How to React to an IMD Warning
When you see an IMD warning, here’s a simple checklist you can follow:
- Check the timing: Most alerts include a window (e.g., 3‑6 pm). If you have a commute, consider leaving earlier or using a different route.
- Watch traffic updates: Heavy rain often leads to gridlock. Apps that show real‑time congestion can save you an hour.
- Stay indoors if possible: For orange or red alerts, limit outdoor activities, especially if you have respiratory issues. The lower AQI is a plus, but sudden downpours can still be hazardous.
- Protect electronics: Power cuts and water seepage happen in flash floods. Keep your phone and important gadgets charged and off the floor.
- Prepare an emergency kit: A small bag with a flashlight, basic meds, bottled water and a blanket can be a lifesaver if the situation worsens.
Following these steps doesn’t take much time, but it dramatically cuts the risk of being stuck in traffic or caught in a sudden flash flood.
The IMD also provides useful long‑term forecasts. For example, the August 27 outlook predicts sticky heat around 35.6 °C in Delhi with a chance of scattered showers, while a monsoon outlook for late August suggests higher humidity and localized flooding across the Indo‑Gangetic plain. Keep an eye on these to plan weekend trips or outdoor events.
In short, IMD warnings are more than just weather chatter – they’re actionable information. By checking the colour code, timing and region, you can make smarter choices about travel, work and health. Stay tuned to local news, use weather apps that pull data directly from the IMD and keep a quick checklist handy. That way, the next time a red alert flashes on your screen, you’ll be ready, not rattled.
