Delhiites experienced a welcome respite from the intense heat as light rain fell in several parts of the city on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, forecasting more rainfall in the coming days, specifically from Friday to Monday.
Several areas, including RK Puram, Dhaula Kuan, and Delhi Cantt, witnessed significant downpours, with thick clouds blanketing the sky. The showers brought a noticeable drop in temperature, providing relief from the sweltering conditions that had gripped the region.
The IMD has predicted that the wet spell is likely to continue for the next few days, with thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall expected. There is also a possibility of thundersqualls, with wind speeds reaching 30-40 kmph, and occasionally gusting up to 50 kmph during thunderstorms, particularly in the evening and night. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to hover around 27-29 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels are also expected to remain high, potentially reaching up to 90 percent, making the atmosphere feel sticky.
The weather department has cautioned against intense lightning in open areas and advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms to avoid any lightning-related incidents. They have also recommended unplugging electrical devices during storms to prevent damage. The IMD also noted the possibility of traffic disruptions and flight delays due to the adverse weather conditions.
The monsoon is gradually advancing towards the National Capital Region (NCR), and the IMD anticipates that Delhi is likely to experience the onset of the southwest monsoon by June 24. Last year, the monsoon arrived in Delhi on June 25, accompanied by a record-breaking 228.1mm of single-day rainfall, the highest since 1936.
While the current rainfall has brought relief from the heat, it has also led to waterlogging in some low-lying areas of Gurugram, Noida, and East Delhi, causing disruption to traffic movement. Local administrations have been deployed to manage drainage work and address the waterlogging issues.
The pleasant weather has also positively impacted Delhi's air quality. After remaining in the 'poor' category for several days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has improved to the 'satisfactory' category.
