Showers bring mercury down

Light rain in the national Capital on Wednesday brought down the mercury by two notches, from the seasonal average as the minimum temperature was recorded at 26.2 degrees Celsius. Palam was the warmest region in Delhi was at 29 degrees Celsius in the city on Wednesday. The pre-monsoon rains were likely to continue till Thursday, the MeT department said.

According to the Safdarjung observatory, the recording of which is considered the official figure for the city, Delhi received 3.4 mm of rain till 8.30 am, while areas under Palam, Lodhi Road and Ridge observatories recorded 0.6 mm, 7.7 mm and 2 mm rain respectively during the same period areas under Aya Nagar observatory recorded traces of rainfall till 8.30 am, an official of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The maximum temperature settled at 37.5 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 26.2 degrees Celsius, two notches below the average.

Humidity levels oscillated between 92 per cent and 57 per cent. The day ahead was expected to be cloudy and the maximum temperature was likely to hover around 32 degrees, the IMD official said. The weatherman has forecast overcast skies along with the moderate rain and gusty rain for Thursday, while the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius respectively.

On Tuesday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 37.5 degrees Celsius, while the minimum had settled at 26.2 degrees Celsius

The air quality of Delhi improved on Wednesday morning with average air quality index (AQI) at 11 am being 97, which is considered good. The PM 2.5, or the particles in air with diameter less than 2.5 mm were 48 units, while the PM10 was 89.2, both under the national permissible limit, first time in months.