Showers over three days to keep heat in check

GURUGRAM: Sporadic rain, with light to moderate intensity, is likely to continue for the next three days as part of the first spell of monsoon, which arrived in the NCR on Thursday ahead of its normal schedule.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, in its forecast, also predicted thunderstorms in some places. Though temperature is likely to remain in the range of 27–35 degrees Celsius till July 3, high levels of humidity in the atmosphere are likely to increase the discomfort quotient.

“We will witness rain activities across the city on Sunday and Monday. In fact, we are expecting sporadic rainfall till July 3 while the sky will remain overcast,” said a Met official.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi, said there might be light showers daily for the next two-three days. There may be marginally higher rainfall on July 1 and July 2, RMC meteorologists added. Monsoon has covered nearly the entire northwest of the country a fortnight ahead of its schedule.

After July 3, the clouds will clear and temperature will rise again, reaching its normal level. According to the Met, there will be no fresh rain activity for about seven days thereafter. “There is no fresh rain in sight,” said the official.

Nevertheless, the weather will continue to remain muggy due to very high moisture levels in the air. “Once the temperature starts rising again after July 3, the discomfort quotient is going to increase further,” said another official.

On Saturday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 35 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was 27.

As per the Indian meteorological department, humidity levels across NCR were around 87%. During the last 24 hours, Gurugram received 1.5mm of rainfall.

The city recorded its lowest air quality index (AQI) of the year at 68 on Saturday, thanks to monsoon. Also, Gurugram was the least polluted city in NCR in the day.

Other NCR cities – Delhi, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad — reported AQI at 96, 76, 90 and 89, respectively.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the highest level of PM2.5 in Gurugram was at 46 micrograms per cubic metre, which is within the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.