NEW DELHI: In a significant respite from the scorching heatwaves, Delhi experienced its coolest day since May 14, breaking a prolonged spell of maximum temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. The city saw overcast skies, a light breeze, and drizzling in some areas, providing much-needed relief from the oppressive heat.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed this welcome change to a current western disturbance, which brought thunderstorms and light showers late on Saturday and Sunday. The overcast conditions and pleasant breeze effectively kept the daytime temperature from escalating. At the base station in Safdarjung, the maximum temperature was recorded at 39.4 degrees Celsius, slightly above the seasonal norm, compared to 40.4 degrees Celsius the previous day. The minimum temperature stood at 28.4 degrees Celsius, consistent with the season’s average, down from 29.6 degrees Celsius. Safdarjung also recorded traces of rainfall, following 3.6mm of rain a day earlier. Humidity levels fluctuated between 50% and 62%. The city benefited from moist easterly and south-easterly winds reaching speeds of up to 11 km/h, which helped maintain a cool and ventilated atmosphere. The weather remained pleasant throughout the day, a stark contrast to the extreme heat conditions Delhi had been enduring since mid-May. This season, Delhi faced multiple instances of heatwaves and severe heatwaves, with the maximum temperature surpassing 45 degrees Celsius on seven occasions—two in June and five in May.
Experts suggest that the western disturbance will continue to influence the weather, providing relief for at least two more days. “The sky will remain partly cloudy on Sunday, with a likelihood of rain and thunderstorms. Monday will also see cloudy skies, but a rise in mercury is expected from Tuesday after the western disturbance passes,” explained an official at the IMD. Projections indicate that maximum and minimum temperatures on Sunday will hover around 40 and 30 degrees Celsius, respectively. On Monday, temperatures may reach 41 and 30 degrees Celsius, and by Tuesday, they could climb to 43 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Delhi’s air quality remained moderate, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 189, up from 175 the previous day. The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, where zero to 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’. The city’s temporary break from the intense heat and the moderate air quality have provided a much-needed respite for its residents, although experts caution that the return of higher temperatures is imminent once the western disturbance subsides.
