Delhi: Coldest May day in 4 years, thanks to Tauktae; orange alert for today

NEW DELHI: The city recorded the coldest day in May on Tuesday since 2017 as the maximum temperature dipped to 30.8 degrees Celsius, nine degrees below normal, due to the impact of Cyclone Tauktae. As the cyclone caused rain, cloudy sky and cold winds, the temperature dropped sharply. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Delhi on Wednesday.
Before this, the lowest maximum temperature recorded in May was on May 23, 2017 at 29.4 degrees Celsius. The day temperature reported in Delhi on Monday was 37.8 degrees Celsius.
Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist at IMD and head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, said, “Under the influence of Cyclone Tauktae, Delhi saw rain, cloudy sky and cold easterly wind and hence, the maximum temperature dropped to nine degrees below normal.”
On Tuesday, several parts of Delhi witnessed drizzling. Safdarjung observatory, which is the city’s base station, recorded 0.1mm rainfall from 8.30am to 5.30 pm while Ayanagar reported 0.2mm rainfall during the same period. Palam, Lodhi Road and Jafarpur stations observed ‘trace’ rainfall from 8.30am to 5.30 pm. The minimum temperature was recorded at 26.8 degrees Celsius.
According to IMD forecast, the rain peak activity is expected on Wednesday as there are chances of moderate rain in Delhi along with thunderstorm. Some places in Delhi-NCR may experience heavy rain on Wednesday. Met department has predicted squall or gusty winds on Wednesday as there is a possibility that the wind speed may touch 60kmph.
The maximum temperature is predicted to dip further on Wednesday to 30 degrees Celsius. While minimum temperature is likely to decrease to 23 degrees Celsius. “The remnants of the cyclone will cause rain in Delhi-NCR,” said a Met official. According to the forecast, Delhi may receive light rain in the first half on Thursday along with gusty winds at the speed of 30-40 kmph.
The day temperature is set to rise from May 21 as the maximum temperature may touch 36 degrees Celsius. It is likely to reach 39 degrees Celsius on May 24.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality improved on Tuesday as Air Quality Index (AQI) reached below 100-mark. AQI of the national capital was in the ‘satisfactory’ range at 93.