Delhi braces for a rainy week

As dawn broke over the capital on Monday, the city woke to an unusually warm morning, with the mercury dipping to no less than 27.2 degrees Celsius. The air felt thick and heavy—unsurprising, as humidity levels hovered at a sticky 79% by 8:30 a.m.

The weather office had already sounded the alarm: the skies would not remain calm for long. Thunderstorms and rainfall loomed on the horizon.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature was expected to climb to 33 degrees Celsius.

The forecast, however,  warned of widespread rainfall across multiple states, with Kerala placed under both ‘orange’ and ‘yellow’ alerts until August 8.

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The air quality in Delhi remained in the “moderate” category, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 115, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). For context, an AQI between 101 and 200 is considered moderate—manageable, but not ideal, especially for sensitive groups.

The week ahead looked like one dominated by clouds and showers. The IMD predicted a mostly cloudy sky for Delhi with very light to light rain throughout the week. Heavier, more consistent showers were likely around August 5. This pattern, said the Regional Meteorological Centre, could persist through August 9, with a mix of thundershowers and intermittent downpours.

Sunday morning had already given a preview of what lay ahead. Torrential rain pounded the city, leading to waterlogging in several key areas—Deoli, Panchkuian Road, Moti Bagh, ITO, Mukherjee Nagar, and Pul Prahladpur bore the brunt.

As umbrellas unfurl and storm drains struggle, residents brace themselves for a soggy, unpredictable week ahead—one where the sky seems determined to make its presence known.

(With inputs from PTI)