Delhi Drenched as IMD Issues Red Alert Ahead of BRICS Summit

Heavy rain and strong winds swept across parts of Delhi on Friday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for the city until 5 p.m.

Overcast conditions prevailed over much of the national capital as the city readied for the BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12 and 13. Central and northern pockets, including the Parliament Street and Bharat Mandapam areas, recorded light to moderate rainfall.

In an update issued at 1 p.m., the IMD said many parts of Delhi were likely to receive light to moderate rain, with precipitation of up to 15 mm per hour. Some areas, it added, could witness heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour over the following hours.

The district-level nowcast subsequently placed the capital under a red alert in view of the forecast.

The downpour follows a spell of above-normal maximum temperatures in Delhi over recent days. Meteorologists indicated that the city may see light to moderate rain during the evening as well, with rainfall activity expected to continue over the capital for the next two days.