Rain likely in Delhi today, says IMD

A thunderstorm accompanied by rain has been forecast for Delhi on Monday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The expected weather event comes amid high humidity levels and a maximum temperature likely to settle around 35 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 26 degrees Celsius, which is 0.4 degrees above the seasonal average. At 8:30 a.m., relative humidity stood at 71 percent, creating sticky and uncomfortable conditions despite no rainfall in the last 24 hours.

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Delhi’s air quality remained in the “satisfactory” category on Monday, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 98. According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 51 and 100 is considered satisfactory, while 0–50 is good. AQI above 100 enters moderate to severe levels, posing increased health risks.

The IMD’s alert prompted early responses from commuters, vendors, and schools, with many residents preparing for the incoming storm. Vendors covered carts, traffic grew heavier as people rushed indoors, and schoolchildren watched the darkening sky with anticipation.

Though no rain was recorded in the past day, the atmospheric build-up throughout the morning suggested an imminent downpour. By afternoon, dark clouds loomed over the city, thunder rumbled in the distance, and the first drops began to fall — providing temporary relief from the heat.

The storm brought with it a break from Delhi’s usual dry August rhythm, offering both a cooling moment and a reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

(With inputs from PTI)