Mon May 26 06:00:17 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Delhi experienced its wettest May on record since 1901 after a severe thunderstorm on May 26, 2025, dumped 81.4 mm of rain in a few hours. This brought the month’s cumulative rainfall to 186.4 mm, surpassing the previous record set in 2008. The storm brought strong winds, waterlogging, and disruptions, including flight diversions and damage to the airport. While the storm brought relief from the heat, it also caused significant civic issues and some casualties. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued intermittent rain and thunderstorms for the coming week.

**News Article:**

**Delhi Drenched: Record Rainfall Makes This the Wettest May in Over a Century**

**New Delhi, May 26, 2025:** Delhi woke up to widespread waterlogging and disruptions this morning after a ferocious thunderstorm battered the city overnight, leading to the wettest May on record since 1901. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city received a staggering 81.4 mm of rainfall in just a few hours early Sunday morning, pushing the month’s total to a record-breaking 186.4 mm, surpassing the previous high of 165 mm set in May 2008.

The intense storm, striking around 2 a.m., brought gusty winds reaching 82 kmph, causing widespread waterlogging, uprooting trees, and significantly impacting operations at Delhi’s airport, with several flights diverted. The 24-hour rainfall also marked the city’s second-highest May rainfall ever, only surpassed by the 119.3 mm recorded on May 20, 2021.

The sudden downpour caused temperatures to plummet, offering Delhiites a respite from the recent heatwave. The temperature at Safdarjung dropped dramatically from 31°C to 21°C in just over an hour. However, the heavy rain also exposed civic infrastructure weaknesses, with widespread reports of waterlogged roads and overflowing drains.

While the heavy rain brought relief from the heat, there were reports of casualties, with 2 deaths and 11 injuries. Delhi’s T1 airport roof was damaged by the extreme conditions, although the DIAL company overseeing airport operations has stated that there was no risk of structural compromise.

The IMD attributes the unusual storm to the interaction of moist southeasterly winds and dry westerlies, amplified by a western disturbance and two cyclonic circulations. While no color-coded alert has been issued, the IMD forecasts intermittent light rain and thunderstorms with winds up to 50 kmph to continue throughout the week.

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