The capital, Delhi, has experienced a number of instances of extreme rainfall in the last century. The most extreme rainfall ever seen in Delhi was back in 1936 during the monsoon season, with recent events almost reaching the record level.
Record Rainfall during June 1936: The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's main weather station, measured the most extreme rainfall on 24 June 1936 with 235.5 mm of rainfall in a 24-hour spell.
For the whole month of June 1936, the overall rainfall was a record 415.8 mm, the highest monthly aggregate in Delhi since 1901 when records started.
This is the all-time record June rainfall and the highest single-day rainfall in the city.
Recent Record-Breaking Rainfall in June 2024
On 28 June 2024, Delhi measured 228.1 mm of rain in 24 hours at the Safdarjung Observatory, the largest for June in 88 years, just after the record of 1936.
Heavy rain was also reported elsewhere in Delhi NCR on the same date at Lodhi Road (192.8 mm), Ridge (150.4 mm), and Delhi University (139 mm).
The copious rain was caused by a series of meteorological conditions such as the intensification of the Southwest Monsoon current and the formation of upper air cyclonic circulations in the Bay of Bengal and overlying regions.
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Other Notable Rainfall Records in Delhi
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In May 2025, Delhi received its all-time highest rainfall in May, 186.4 mm of rain, higher than the previous best of 165 mm in 2008. On a single day, May 2025 experienced 81.4 mm of rain, one of the highest 24-hour rainfall in the history of May.
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In September 1963, Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall on a single day for the month of September, 172.6 mm of rain on September 16.
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In December 1923, the highest single-day rainfall for December was recorded at 75.7 mm, which remains the record for that month.
Highest Rainfall Records in Delhi
| Date | Rainfall (24-hour) | Total Monthly Rainfall | Location | Notes |
| June 24, 1936 | 235.5 mm | 415.8 mm (June 1936) | Safdarjung | Highest ever single-day and monthly |
| June 28, 2024 | 228.1 mm | - | Safdarjung | Highest June rainfall in 88 years |
| May 2025 (monthly) | - | 186.4 mm | Safdarjung | Highest May rainfall on record |
| Sept 16, 1963 | 172.6 mm | - | Delhi | Highest single-day September rainfall |
| Dec 3, 1923 | 75.7 mm | - | Delhi | Highest single-day December rainfall |
Meteorological Context
The heavy rainfall events in Delhi tend to be associated with the dynamics of the Southwest Monsoon and interactions with upper air cyclonic circulation and western disturbances.
In 2024, the heavy rain was attributed to the recovery of the monsoon circulation, intensification of the monsoon current over the Arabian Sea, and the existence of an east-west shear zone over northern India.
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Such phenomena result in heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 km/h or more.
The record rainfall in Delhi was on 24th June 1936 for 235.5 mm in 24 hours and 415.8 mm for the month of June. Recent instances, particularly during June 2024, have approached this all-time high, indicating variability and intensity in monsoon rainfall in the capital. These records are thoroughly documented by the India Meteorological Department and recorded predominantly at the Safdarjung Observatory, the primary weather station of the city.
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