The IMD has sounded a red alert in the entire Delhi-NCR anticipating light to moderate rainfall/ thunderstorms/ duststorms with squall and gusty winds reaching up to 70 Kmph.
NEW DELHI — Delhi and its surrounding areas were hit by a duststorm for the second day in a row, which brought down temperatures.
The maximum temperature recorded in the capital at 34.6 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees Celsius below normal. The minimum temperature was 22.8 degrees Celsius, around two degrees above normal.
As per a report published in the Indian Express, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Friday evening, warning of light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning with gusty winds up to 70 kmph. Gusty winds reached 74 kmph at IGI Airport and 56 kmph at Safdarjung Airport, with New Delhi experiencing winds of around 85 kmph, as per the IMD.
“There has been a marked fall in minimum temperatures and appreciable fall in maximum temperatures over Delhi/NCR during the past 24 hours,” read the IMD bulletin.
There were also no warm night conditions observed on Friday. For three days in a row, the minimum temperatures satisfied the criteria for warm night conditions — the maximum temperature is 40 degrees Celsius or more, and the minimum temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above the season’s norm.
On Friday, the minimum temperature reduced significantly with a three-notch drop at Safdarjung, and other stations including Palam and Ghaziabad saw a drop of as much as five degrees in 24 hours.
“There will be a fall in maximum temperatures by 2°C during the next two days and a gradual rise by 3-5°C thereafter,” said the IMD.
Trace rainfall was recorded over most of Delhi. Mayur Vihar and Noida saw light rainfall of up to 5 mm on Thursday.
On Thursday evening, a dust storm followed by a sudden downpour lashed Delhi, leading to a sharp fall in temperatures within an hour and providing much-needed relief from the soaring heat.
Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been sounded for Saturday. The IMD has forecast very light rain, with thunderstorms or lightning activities, and winds up to 40 kmph.
Mainly clear skies are expected for the coming days. From Tuesday to Thursday, it has forecast strong surface winds during the day.
The IMD said the temperatures are expected to hover around 20 to 41 degrees Celsius for the next six days.
