Delhi wakes up to overcast skies, clean air; rain likely to continue

Delhiites started their Tuesday morning under overcast skies and a cool breeze, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more rain later in the day. The minimum temperature settled at 24.5°C, around 2.7 degrees below the seasonal average, while the maximum is expected to touch 33°C.

The city’s air quality remained in the ‘good’ category, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 48 at 9 AM. On Monday, the AQI stood at 59, categorised as ‘satisfactory’.

The fresh spell of rain on Monday evening brought much-needed relief from the humidity but also led to waterlogging and traffic snarls in several parts of the capital.

Rainfall data showed varied precipitation across Delhi: Safdarjung, the city’s base observatory, recorded 9.2 mm; Pragati Maidan, 4.9 mm; Palam, 26.6 mm; Najafgarh, 17 mm; Pusa, 11.5 mm; and Janakpuri, 4.5 mm. The Public Works Department (PWD) received at least 10 complaints of waterlogging.

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Earlier in the day, Lodhi Road reported the highest cumulative rainfall of 18.5 mm. Other locations like Ayanagar (15.5 mm), Safdarjung (15.8 mm), and Palam (8.5 mm) also saw significant showers.

The IMD had issued a Yellow alert for Delhi-NCR, warning of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 50 kmph. Humidity levels ranged between 100 per cent and 67 per cent.

More showers are expected through Tuesday, particularly in northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast Delhi.

(With inputs from PTI)