Delhi To Stay Cool Under Week-long Rainfall, City Sees Relieving Drop in Temperature

Delhi: National Capital has been waking up to cloudy skies for a few days now which has brought immense relief from the intense sunlight and heat residents were reeling under. A proof of this is that the maximum temperature on Friday was three notches below normal, settling at 33.2 degrees Celsius. The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's main weather station, recorded 0.6 mm of rain. Other observatories at Lodhi Road and Ridge recorded 0.6 mm and 2.7 mm of rain, respectively, between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.

The rain started after a few days of fluctuating weather, with sharp showers in some parts of Delhi and the NCR region in the afternoon and evening. The Palam observatory recorded 17 mm of rainfall, while the Safdarjung observatory noted 9 mm. Ayanagar received the highest amount of rain, with 40.8 mm during this period. Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budhnagar also experienced light showers. Light rain continued into Saturday morning.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the relative humidity in Delhi ranged from 73% to 91%. The weather department has predicted generally cloudy skies with light rain, thunderstorms, and lightning on Saturday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 33 and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The IMD forecasts heavy rainfall over the next four to five days, as the southwest monsoon has covered the entire country by July 2, six days earlier than usual. Favourable conditions, including a nearby monsoon trough with an embedded cyclonic circulation, are expected to sustain the rainfall in Delhi for the next week or more.

The monsoon trough will oscillate but remain near Delhi, with moderate showers expected from July 4 to 6. The intensity of rain will decrease slightly from July 7 to 9. A new cyclonic circulation forming over the Bay of Bengal around July 7 will move inland, enhancing monsoon activity over eastern and central India. This circulation will approach southwest Uttar Pradesh and northwest Madhya Pradesh by July 9, reactivating the monsoon trough. Renewed monsoon activity, with moderate showers, is expected in Delhi and the NCR region from July 10 to 12.

Despite the rain, the showers are not expected to disrupt normal activities. The weather will remain pleasant, with moderate temperatures during the day and night, and cloudy skies suppressing sunshine for the next five to six days.