New Delhi: Heavy rain lashed several parts of the national capital on Friday as dark clouds covered Delhi, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert warning of intense rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds later in the day.

The sudden downpour disrupted Janmashtami celebrations, with rain-soaked roads, umbrellas filling the streets and people rushing for shelter as the showers intensified.

According to the IMD’s three-hourly rainfall data, Palam recorded 3.4 mm of rain between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm, while Najafgarh received 0.5 mm between 8.30 am and 11.30 am. Most other monitoring stations reported no rainfall during the corresponding periods.

In its short-range forecast issued at 2.15 pm, the IMD said light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning were likely at many places between 2.15 pm and 4.15 pm, with heavy rain expected at isolated locations.

Another spell of light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning was forecast at most places between 5 pm and 8 pm, with heavy rain likely at isolated locations.

The weather office also forecast moderate rainfall at most places over the next three hours, with heavy rainfall of 50-100 mm likely at a few locations. Thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph, were also expected.