Delhi woke up to a relatively cool morning on Sunday, with the minimum temperature settling at 24.2°C — half a degree below the seasonal average.
The relative humidity at 8:30 AM stood at 75 per cent. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain for the day, with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius. The capital recently witnessed an intense spell of rain, marking one of the wettest May days in recent history. On Friday, the Safdarjung weather station recorded 77 mm of rainfall within a six-hour window, from 2:30 AM to 8:30 AM — the second-highest 24-hour rainfall for the month of May since records began in 1901.
Despite the rainfall, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated, slipping into the ‘poor’ category on Sunday morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 212 at 9 AM, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between 201 and 300 is categorised as ‘poor’. Saturday saw similar temperatures, with the maximum reaching 35°C — 4.3 degrees below the seasonal norm — and the minimum dropping to 22.2°C, 2.5 degrees below average. Humidity levels ranged between 82 per cent and 53 per cent through the day.
The recent rainfall, while providing temporary relief from the heat, has not been sufficient to improve the city’s air quality. Experts suggest that sustained efforts are needed to address the underlying causes of pollution and to implement effective measures to improve air quality in the long term. Residents are advised to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions to protect their health during this period of fluctuating weather conditions.
Also Read: Delhi Braces for Thunderstorms as IMD Issues Alerts
