The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted dust storms and light rain in the city on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to scientists at the IMD, a weak western disturbance could lead to rain in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the Capital.

“Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will see partly cloudy skies. There is a possibility of rains and dust storms on Wednesday and Thursday,” said an IMD official, adding that the day temperature is expected to decrease marginally, by a degree or two.

The MeT department has also predicted intense dust storms and thunderstorms this summer.

“Due to the higher-than-normal number and intensity of heat waves, conditions would be favourable for intense dust storms and thunderstorms in northwest India in April and May,” said Kuldeep Srivastava, senior scientist at the IMD.

The maximum temperature on Tuesday rose marginally from Monday’s maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius, to touch 43.7 degrees Celsius. This is five degrees above the normal for this time of the year.

The minimum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius, up by a degree from Monday’s minimum temperature.

Tuesday’s minimum temperature was a degree below the normal for this time of the year, said officials.

On Wednesday, the day temperature is expected to fall to 42 degrees Celsius and stay the same on Thursday as well.

The minimum temperature is likely to stay around 24 degrees Celsius, the IMD officials said.

However, due to the rain, the air quality index (AQI) of the city is likely to fall, said AQI experts.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) AQI monitor at Vikas Sadan in Sector 11, Tuesday’s AQI was 287 (poor), continuing from Monday’s AQI reading of 260 (poor).

First Published: May 01, 2019 03:45 IST