Rains bring respite from humid conditions in Delhi; IMD issues yellow alert

Rain lashed parts of Delhi on Tuesday, bringing relief from humid conditions as several areas recorded moderate showers during the day, with Ayanagar receiving nearly 50 mm of rainfall, the highest among the city's weather stations. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Tuesday, Ayanagar again recorded the highest rainfall at 49.3 mm, followed by Safdarjung at 9.4 mm, Palam at 8.1 mm, Lodhi Road at 3.7 mm and the Ridge at 1.5 mm.

In the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, Ayanagar received the highest cumulative rainfall at 23.6 mm. Safdarjung, Palam and the Ridge recorded trace rainfall, while Lodhi Road did not receive any rainfall.

Temperature dips

The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city's base station, settled at 33.5 degrees Celsius, 0.7 notches below normal, while the minimum was 27.4 degrees Celsius, 0.5 notches above normal. Palam recorded a maximum of 31.6 degrees Celsius, 2.8 notches below normal, and a minimum of 24.8 degrees Celsius, 2 notches below normal. At Lodhi Road, the maximum settled at 33.2 degrees Celsius, 0.2 notches above normal, and the minimum was 26.8 degrees Celsius, 0.8 notches above normal. The Ridge station recorded a maximum of 32.1 degrees Celsius, 1.9 notches below normal, and a minimum of 24.9 degrees Celsius, 1.3 notches below normal. Ayanagar logged a maximum of 30.6 degrees Celsius, 3.4 notches below normal, and a minimum of 25.6 degrees Celsius, 0.8 notches below normal.

Yellow alert issued

The IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain on Wednesday and issued a yellow alert for the national capital. With a yellow alert in place, the maximum temperature is likely to settle around 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to be around 24 degrees Celsius, the weather office said. The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and east Uttar Pradesh between August 4 and August 6. Rain activity is likely to continue over Delhi till August 10.

Air quality remains satisfactory

The city's air quality remained in the "satisfactory" category for the fourth consecutive day this month, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 64 at 4 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). According to the CPCB, an AQI between 51 and 100 is considered "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".