New Delhi: Intense rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 67 kmph have led to Delhi experiencing its cleanest air day since September 5 of the previous year. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 73, falling under the 'satisfactory' category on Friday. This marks the lowest AQI since September 5, when it stood at 67. The same AQI level of 73 was observed on October 7 and September 6 last year.
Delhi-NCR witnessed brief but intense spells of rain, accompanied by strong winds of up to 67 kmph, on Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain and gusty winds for Friday night, with a yellow alert issued for Saturday. Rainfall activity is expected to decrease from Sunday, and temperatures may again touch 40 degrees Celsius by Monday.
Safdarjung, the city's base station, recorded 11.2 mm of rainfall between Thursday evening and 8:30 am Friday, with no rainfall logged between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. The highest wind speed of 67 kmph was recorded at Pusa, followed by 65 kmph at Palam around midnight, while Safdarjung recorded 37 kmph.
The maximum temperature on Friday was 34.6 degrees Celsius, five degrees below normal, compared with 38.7 degrees Celsius a day earlier. The heat index, or 'feels-like' temperature, touched 39.9 degrees Celsius at 2:30 pm. An IMD official stated, 'Rain and overcast skies under the influence of a western disturbance led to the dip in temperature. Very light to light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 60 kmph, is likely on Saturday.'
IMD has forecast the possibility of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon or evening, with overcast skies expected on Monday. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain between 38 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius on Monday and may rise to 39-41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
The minimum temperature dipped to 22.8 degrees Celsius on Friday, five degrees below normal, compared with 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday. It is expected to remain between 22 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius over the next 24 hours.
