New Delhi: The city is likely to receive rain accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to 70 kmph on Monday and Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). On Sunday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 36.6 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees below the normal for this time of the year. The previous day, it had been 38.6 degrees Celsius.
Data from the IMD's Safdarjung observatory, which serves as the city's base station, showed that 0.6 mm of rainfall was recorded until 8:30 am on Sunday. During the same period, Palam and Ridge in north Delhi received 0.7 mm and 0.6 mm of rainfall, respectively. However, no rainfall was recorded at any station in the city between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.
A Met official stated, "There has been a fall in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the past 24 hours over Delhi. However, the city is likely to receive at least two spells of rain on Monday, one between morning and forenoon and another during the afternoon or evening. There is a possibility of very light rain on Tuesday as well."
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for rain and gusty winds up to 70 kmph on Monday. No color-coded warning has been issued for Tuesday, when rain and strong winds up to 40 kmph are expected.
Due to the rain and overcast skies, the mercury is expected to dip to around 32-34 degrees Celsius on Monday and further to between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. However, temperatures are predicted to rise gradually from Wednesday onward and are likely to touch 40 degrees Celsius by May 9.
So far in May, daytime temperatures have remained below normal as regular rain activity in parts of Delhi and overcast skies have kept the mercury in check. The minimum temperature on Sunday settled at 24.6 degrees Celsius, which is near normal for this time of the year.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 175. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the AQI is likely to stay moderate until at least May 6.
