Mercury up in Delhi but rain relief expected soon

The day-time mercury, which remained below the 40-degree mark over the past one week in Delhi, shot up to 40.3 degrees Celsius on Monday.

Officials from the India Meteorological Department’s regional weather forecasting centre, however, have forecast that relief could be on the way soon as light rain and thunderstorms are expected this week.

There could be rain even on Thursday, counting day for the Lok Sabha elections, which will help the maximum temperature to stay below 40 degrees over the next five days at least.

“Because of an approaching western disturbance, we are expecting light rain, dust storms and thunderstorms between May 22 and May 24. This will help to keep a check on the maximum temperature,” said an official from the local meteorological department.

On Tuesday, there are chances of a dust storm or thunderstorm and on Wednesday, the meteorological department has issued a forecast of thunderstorm with rain.

On May 23, when Lok Sabha election results are out– Delhi could receive rain and thundershowers with string gusty winds. The day’s temperature is likely to remain around 38 degrees on that day.

On Monday, the maximum temperature was 40.3 degrees Celsius, which was normal. The minimum temperature was 22.8 degrees Celsius, which was four degrees below normal. The last time the day temperature was above 40 degree Celsius this season was on May 13, when it was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius.

But as the western disturbance is approaching and is triggering dust storms across north-west India and NCR, pollution levels in Delhi is also rising.

First Published: May 21, 2019 06:52 IST