There was some relief, albeit temporary, from the scorching heat in the national capital with rain and squall lashing the city on Friday evening. Within hours, the mercury that had soared to 39.5 degrees Celsius during the day, shed nearly 12 degrees to treat Delhi residents to a pleasant evening.

“The maximum temperature at Safdarjung was recorded at 39.5 degrees Celsius during the day. But after the rain, the temperature dropped to 27.4 degrees Celsius around 8.30pm,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

But, owing to cyclone Fani making landfall in Odisha Friday, at least 25 departing flights to Bhubaneshwar and Kolkata had to be cancelled and 14 incoming flights from the two airports remained cancelled, Delhi International Airport Limited said.

While Safdarjung, which is taken to be a representative of Delhi’s weather, received around 4.2mm rain, Palam received around 6.6mm rain. Friday’s rain was triggered by local clouds which formed under the intense heat and the low pressure induced by a western disturbance. Easterly winds were also bringing in moisture as the cyclone hit the eastern coast.

Officials of the IMD said owing to the rain, the maximum temperature on Saturday would remain around 38 degrees Celsius. It would, however, start rising gradually, thereafter.

“Earlier, it was expected the day temperature would remain in 40s till Saturday. But because of the rain, the maximum temperature will be around 38 degrees Saturday. The skies would remain cloudy. But once the skies clear up from Sunday, temperature would start going north again,” the IMD official said.

First Published: May 04, 2019 05:38 IST