Rain in parts of Delhi, strong winds bring respite from heat

Strong winds, thunderstorms and rain in parts of Delhi brought some respite to its residents after days of searing heat. An orange alert was initially issued by the India Meteorological department (IMD) but it was later changed to a yellow alert, warning people of light rain and gusty winds. However, respite seems short-lived, as orange alerts remain in place for Sunday and the consecutive five days for an expected heatwave. The IMD said temporary relief from heatwave conditions is expected over northwest India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, due to thunderstorm activity over the region, but temperatures are likely to rise again from Sunday onwards. According to the IMD, wind speeds during the dust storm and thunderstorm activity were recorded at up to 81 kmph at Pusa Road, 56 kmph at Palam and 35 kmph at Pragati Maidan.

A significant reduction in visibility was also recorded at Palam airport, where visibility dropped from 3,500 metres to 1,500 metres within one hour. The weather office said squally winds were prevailing over Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and advised residents to remain indoors until weather conditions improve and the winds dissipate. Light to moderate rainfall was also recorded in various parts of the city. According to data from IMD till 8.30 am on Saturday, Ridge received 0.2 mm of rain between 11.30 pm on Friday and 2.30 am on Saturday. Pusa received 2 mm of rain between 5.30 am and 8.30 am on Saturday. No significant rain was recorded in any other weather station during the period. However, IMD later informed that the current spell of winds and thunderstorms had moved southeastwards, away from Delhi.

"Very light to light rain, accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and dust storm is expected on Saturday. Strong surface winds of speed 40-50 kmph might also continue," said an IMD official. Meanwhile, Safdarjung, representative of the city's weather, recorded a minimum temperature of 28.4 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees above the normal and 0.9 degree lower than the day before. "Fall in minimum temperatures by 1-2 degrees Celsius occurred over Delhi, as a result of which no warm night conditions prevailed," the official added. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 41-43 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Delhi had reeled under heatwave-like conditions over the past several days, with temperatures crossing the 45 degrees Celsius mark in many parts of the city and warm night conditions persisting. Meanwhile, the air quality of the city deteriorated and the air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 201 (poor) at 10 am on Saturday, as compared to the 24-hour average AQI of 183 (moderate) recorded at 4pm a day before, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi has forecast the AQI to remain in the poor category for the next few days.