Rain, thunderstorm bring relief to Delhi

Cloud and sand envelop the city during a storm in New Delhi on Monday. After days of relentless summer heat, a thunderstorm, accompanied by some rain, brought relief to the city. The rain and thunderstorm resulted in the maximum temperature dropping from 40.9 C to 23.6 C at 8.30 pm. (Photo: AP )

In a major respite from sweltering heat, rains lashed the national capital on Monday resulting in drop in maximum temperature by several notches. The maximum temperature recorded on the day was 40.9 C and this dropped to 23.6 C at 8.30 pm after the rainfall.

The rains were followed by a dust storm in the afternoon, bringing the mercury down in the city that had recorded a maximum of 42.7 Celsius on Sunday at the Safdarjung observatory and in Palam it was 45.6 Celsius.

The minimum temperature recorded at the Safdarjung observatory was 30.5 Celsius. The weatherman has predicted overnight showers in some areas of the city and this is expected to further bring down the mercury. The maximum and minimum temperature recorded at the Palam observatory was 42.3 C and 31.1 C.

“The minimum temperature was recorded at 30 Celsius this morning, four notches above normal. The humidity was 72 per cent,” a met department official said, adding, “Overnight showers are also likely in some areas.”

The visibility at the IGI Airport reduced from 4,000 metres to 600 metres, affecting the flight operations. The met has forecast light rains accompanied by a thunderstorm on Tuesday. The maximum temperature can go up to 42.3 C and the minimum will be 35 C on Tuesday, the met official said.

Light showers owing to a western disturbance had hit the capital on Sunday, but failed to give respite as the maximum temperature had crossed 45 Celsius mark. However, the officials said this is a “temporary respite” as the temperatures will shoot up again on Wednesday. “There is, however, a forecast for light rains on May 28,” the official said.

The dust storm led to the collapse of a signboard in Noida’s Sector 18, near DLF Mall, killing one person and seriously injuring two others. The deceased, Munna Kumar, 27, was waiting near the mall on his motorcycle when the signboard fell on him. A Maruti Alto car, bearing a registration number of DL 3C BL 4491, was also damaged in the accident. However, occupants of the car escaped unhurt. “We have informed the family members of the deceased. Family of the injured has not been traced yet as his phone is locked. An FIR will be registered after investigation,” said a police official.