Rare rain, thunder delay Republic Day parade rehearsal in Delhi

A rare spell of rain and thunder in the national capital brought the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade to a temporary halt on Kartavya Path on Friday morning, creating an unusual sight.

Thick grey clouds loomed over the ceremonial boulevard as repeated peals of thunder echoed through the air, a scene not commonly witnessed during Republic Day rehearsals. The sudden weather change marked the end of a long dry winter spell, as Delhi recorded its first rainfall of 2026 .

Light to moderate showers spread across the city, prompting officials to delay the rehearsal. With the situation remaining uncertain, authorities closely monitored the weather before deciding on further proceedings. Despite the delay, security personnel and officials stayed at their posts, prepared for any situation.

Many officials were seen wearing raincoats and rain vests, braving the cold and wet conditions while continuing their duties. Barricades, checkpoints, and deployment plans remained unchanged as security personnel stayed alert and ready.

Early spectators who had gathered to watch the rehearsal faced the sudden downpour. Elderly viewers covered themselves with plastic sheets, while mothers pulled down their children’s caps and tightened scarves to shield them from the rain. Some spectators took shelter under temporary covers, while others remained seated, waiting patiently for the rehearsal to resume. Organisers also worked to cover seating areas to reduce public inconvenience.

Despite the unexpected weather, the atmosphere remained calm and orderly. There was no heavy water accumulation or waterlogging along the parade route, and arrangements stayed intact.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the change in weather was caused by this year’s first intense western disturbance . IMD data showed that by 8.30 am, Safdarjung recorded 1.3 mm of rainfall, while Palam also logged 1.3 mm.

The IMD further forecasted another spell of very light to light rain in the afternoon and evening. The sky remained generally cloudy in the morning, with one or two spells of light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30-40 km per hour. Shallow fog was also seen in the early hours.