Delhi Rain: IMD Issues ‘Red Alert’ As Showers Lash City, More Downpours Expected During BRICS Summit

Delhi received rain in several areas on Friday, with the IMD issuing a red alert for the next few hours. More rain is forecast on September 12-13

Delhi received rain in several areas on Friday, with the IMD issuing a red alert for the next few hours.

Source : ANI

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Prime Minister Modi gifted President Putin a Russian Thirukkural.
• The gesture signifies broader strategic partnership between nations.
• Leaders discussed boosting trade, industrial, and energy cooperation.
• Key discussions covered critical minerals, fertilisers, skilled workers.

Several parts of the national capital received light to moderate rainfall on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a ‘red alert’ for several areas for the next few hours.

Parts of central Delhi and other areas witnessed light to moderate rain as the weather office warned of moderate to heavy showers in several parts of the city in the coming hours.

The IMD issued the ‘red alert’ as part of its district-level nowcast assessment of the prevailing weather conditions.

The IMD has forecast multiple spells of rain on September 12 and 13. On Saturday, the first day of the summit, the weather office has predicted one or two spells of very light to light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, at many places from early morning to forenoon. Another spell of light to moderate rain is likely from evening to night. 

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Delhi Temperature

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6°C on Thursday. With rain forecast over the next two days, the maximum temperature is likely to fall below 33°C from Saturday.

Air quality also deteriorated following a dry spell. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an AQI of 134 on Thursday, placing Delhi in the “moderate” category. It was the city’s highest AQI reading since July 19, when it stood at 171.

The CPCB classifies AQI readings into six categories. A score of 0-50 is considered “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory” and 101-200 “moderate”. Readings of 201-300 are categorised as “poor”, 301-400 as “very poor” and above 400 as “severe”.

Summit Traffic Restrictions

Traffic restrictions will come into force from Friday afternoon as the BRICS Summit 2026 begins at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan. Diversions and traffic regulations will be implemented across several key roads in central Delhi.

According to a Delhi Traffic Police advisory, restrictions will remain in place from 2 pm to 8.30 pm on September 11. Traffic will be regulated at 22 diversion points, while restrictions are likely on more than 35 roads.

The roads under regulation include Mathura Road, Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Africa Avenue Road, Satya Marg, Shanti Path, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg, K.G. Marg, PWD Abdul Kalam Road, Press Enclave Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Josef Broz Tito Marg and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg.

At Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk, traffic heading towards Mathura Road and Tilak Marg will not be allowed beyond the junction. At Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk, commercial vehicles heading towards W-Point will not be allowed beyond the junction.

Diversions will also be enforced at Mir Dard Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Janpath, Patel Chowk, RML Hospital roundabout and Vande Mataram Marg. Advance signage has been installed at key junctions, including ITO.

Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, avoid restricted corridors and use public transport wherever possible.

Drainage Preparations Ahead

The Delhi government has also put flood-control measures in place ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam. Joint multi-agency emergency drainage protocols have been established for the summit corridor connecting the venue with Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Preparations began a week earlier. On September 5, the Chief Secretary directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Irrigation & Flood Control), along with the Delhi PWD, to inspect flood-prone areas, existing drainage networks and contingency pumping arrangements along the designated corridors.

Dewatering teams will operate under strict response timelines. Under flood-control protocols, PWD workers are required to deploy portable extraction pumps when standing water reaches 6-8 inches in underpasses.

The PWD and MCD have also readied quick-response teams and staff to drain major roads, tunnels and sunken stretches within an hour of heavy rainfall.