Delhi recorded rainfall on Thursday that lowered daytime temperatures by four to six degrees Celsius and improved air quality, while the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning of moderate to heavy showers, lightning and squally winds across the Capital.
Maximum temperatures settled between 27 and 28 degrees Celsius at major weather stations, according to the IMD bulletin. Safdarjung, Delhi’s base station, recorded 15.9 mm of rainfall, while the Ridge recorded the highest precipitation among the listed stations at 25.2 mm. Lodi Road received 20 mm, Palam recorded 11.2 mm and Ayanagar 7.2 mm.
The rainfall also brought a measurable improvement in Delhi’s air quality. The city’s air quality index stood at 149 on Thursday, down from 181 a day earlier. While the change coincided with the rain and strong winds, the supplied weather report does not provide a separate assessment of how long the improvement is expected to last.
The weather shift was linked by officials to multiple systems affecting north India. These included a Western Disturbance persisting as a cyclonic circulation over north Punjab and adjoining areas, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over south Haryana and neighbouring regions, and a low-pressure area extending from northeast Uttar Pradesh to the East-Central Arabian Sea through East Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Strong surface winds swept across Delhi at speeds of 20-30 kmph, with gusts reaching 50-60 kmph, IMD officials said. The combination of rain, lightning and gusty winds presents an immediate operational challenge for road users and outdoor activity, although the supplied report does not record any disruption, damage or casualty linked to the weather.
The Regional Meteorological Centre forecast generally cloudy skies overnight, with further spells of light rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph. Similar conditions were expected to continue through Friday morning and noon before easing.
The weather department said skies are likely to clear towards the weekend, with daytime temperatures expected to rise gradually to 31-33 degrees Celsius. The forecast makes Friday’s rain and wind conditions the next immediate milestone for Delhi residents and city authorities.
