Heavy monsoon rains are battering northern India, with Delhi recording its heaviest 24-hour rainfall spell in two years while Himachal Pradesh’s monsoon-related death toll has climbed to 98. Waterlogging, landslides and road closures have caused widespread disruption across both regions.
Delhi Crosses Seasonal Rainfall Average
Delhi received 107.8 mm of rainfall between Monday morning and 8:30 pm Tuesday, according to India Meteorological Department data. The intense spell pushed the capital’s total monsoon rainfall to 653 mm, already above the June-to-September seasonal average of 640.4 mm—with more than a month of the monsoon season still remaining.
Several weather stations recorded particularly intense rainfall. Safdarjung accumulated about 99 mm by Tuesday morning, while Ridge and Ayanagar crossed the 100-mm mark.
The downpour flooded major roads and triggered severe traffic disruption across areas including Connaught Place, ITO, AIIMS and Chirag Dilli. Earlier rainfall also affected flight operations, with 15 Delhi-bound flights diverted on Monday.
For August 26, the latest forecast calls for generally cloudy conditions across Delhi-NCR, with very light to light rain possible during the day and isolated heavier rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at night.
Himachal Monsoon Death Toll Reaches 98
Conditions are more severe in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, where officials say approximately 98 people have died in rain-related incidents since the monsoon began on June 30.
The state has also suffered estimated losses of around ₹1,149 crore as repeated spells of rain, flash floods and landslides damage infrastructure and disrupt communities.
Massive Chamba Landslide Blocks Road
A major landslide struck the Kodla-Urai road in the Bharmour division of Chamba district, blocking the route and forcing vehicles to use the alternative Kandi Kuthed road.
Across Himachal, 99 roads remained blocked, including 44 in Mandi and 23 in Kullu. Seven electricity transformers and six drinking-water supply schemes were also disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.
Sirmaur’s Dhaulakuan recorded 117.5 mm of rain in 24 hours, while the Shimla Meteorological Centre expects the state’s wet spell to continue through August 31.
North India Braces for More Rain
The latest weather outlook suggests the monsoon threat is not over. The IMD is forecasting widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning across several parts of India through the end of August, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall possible in some regions, including parts of northern India.
The contrasting situations in Delhi and Himachal highlight the monsoon’s growing impact: urban flooding and transport disruption in the national capital, and potentially deadly landslides and infrastructure damage across vulnerable Himalayan terrain.
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