Delhi wakes up to clear skies; thunderstorm, rain expected later in day

Delhiites woke up to a bright and sunny Saturday morning, with the minimum temperature settling at 19.0 degrees Celsius—two notches below the season’s average.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall later in the day.

As per IMD data, the national capital recorded 0.7 mm of rainfall between 8:30 AM on Friday and 8:30 AM on Saturday.

Several other weather stations across Delhi also reported light showers during this period.

Ayanagar received the highest rainfall at 4.0 mm, followed by Pitampura (2.5 mm), Palam (2.0 mm), and Ridge (1.4 mm). Safdarjung recorded 0.7 mm, while Lodhi Road, Pusa, and Mayur Vihar logged 0.5 mm each.

The relative humidity was recorded at 78 per cent at 8:30 AM. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius through the day.

On Friday evening, the city witnessed a sudden change in weather, as strong dust storms and gusty winds swept across the region.

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The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, cautioning residents about potentially adverse weather conditions likely to persist into Saturday evening.

Citizens have been advised to remain indoors, secure doors and windows, and avoid unnecessary travel during the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality continued to stay in the ‘moderate’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 119 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

(With inputs from PTI)