NEW DELHI: Several parts of Delhi received pre-monsoon showers for the second consecutive day on Saturday. In some parts, a spell of intense rain accompanied with gusty winds of 50kmph was recorded on Saturday evening. The Met department said the onset of monsoon was unlikely to happen in the next five days, but light rain was expected on Sunday too.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung — Delhi’s base station— recorded 19.2mm rainfall till 8.30am, while “trace” rainfall was observed from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Narela station recorded 22.5mm rainfall from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Several parts of Central, East, South and South West districts witnessed rain in the evening.
The maximum temperature dipped to 38.6 degrees Celsius— two degrees above normal— on Saturday, while the minimum settled at 24.1 degrees — four notches below normal. The relative humidity oscillated between 84% and 43%. The forecast of the Met department said rain was expected in parts of the capital for the next six days.
Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist, IMD and head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, said, “Though there are no favourable conditions for further advance of monsoon in Delhi for the next five days, subdued rainfall activity is likely to continue for the next few days. There is less possibility of rain on July 5 and 6, but the intensity is expected to be more on July 8.” The heatwave conditions has abated from the plains of northwest India, he added. The maximum temperature is likely to rise slightly from Sunday and may hover around 40 degrees Celsius from July 5 to 7.
The rain also helped in cleaning Delhi’s air. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from 245 in the “poor” category on Friday to 139 in the “moderate” on Saturday.
System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, the forecasting body under Union ministry of earth sciences, said, “Rain received at a few places in Delhi has led to an improvement in air quality through the aerosol wash out process. Surface winds are moderate and southwesterly. Dust long-range transport from western dry arid regions and local emissions are expected to continue in the coming days. AQI is expected to remain in the ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’ category for the next three days. Dust (PM10) will be the lead pollutant for the next three days.”
