Delhi–NCR experienced an unusual turn in weather this August, with heavy downpours cooling the region to levels not seen in over a decade. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Ghaziabad and an orange alert for Noida on Sunday, cautioning residents of intense rainfall and waterlogging risks. While Delhi itself was spared an immediate warning, the capital is firmly on course to record its coldest August since 2012.
According to IMD data, the average maximum temperature in Delhi for August 2025 stood at 33.2 degrees Celsius up to Saturday. The last time the city experienced a cooler August was in 2012, when the average touched 33.1 degrees Celsius. In comparison, the same month recorded 34.1 degrees Celsius in 2024 and 35.4 degrees Celsius in 2023, underscoring this year’s unusual chill.Weather officials confirmed that intermittent heavy showers have not only moderated daytime temperatures but also pushed minimum readings below seasonal norms. On Sunday, Delhi recorded a minimum of 24.5 degrees Celsius, two notches below the average, while the previous day was even cooler at 23.8 degrees Celsius, almost three notches below typical levels. Relative humidity stood at 81 per cent, leaving residents to balance between comfort and waterlogged streets.
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Experts monitoring the monsoon say that this pattern is part of a larger shift in regional weather, where climate variability is leading to erratic rainfall and unseasonal temperature swings. They warn that without sustainable infrastructure and improved urban planning, cities like Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida will continue to face compounding risks of flooding, waterlogging, and public health challenges during peak monsoon.For Ghaziabad and Noida, the weekend alerts reflected the intensity of rain that disrupted normal life and mobility. Although both alerts were downgraded to yellow by 11 am on Sunday, officials maintained that caution was essential given the forecast of continued heavy showers across northwest India in September, particularly in Uttarakhand, south Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Rajasthan.
The rainfall-driven chill has turned August unusually pleasant for many residents in Delhi–NCR, yet urban planners highlight that behind this temporary relief lies an urgent call for climate-resilient infrastructure. With rainfall intensities increasing year after year, the need for water-sensitive planning, sustainable drainage, and equitable urban policies is more critical than ever.As Delhi gears up for September, the prospect of more heavy spells looms large. The cooler August offers both respite and warning a reminder that climate resilience in NCR must go hand-in-hand with sustainable urban development.
