Delhi’s weather remains below the season’s average as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Monday, warning residents of thunderstorms and strong winds. The alert, updated from an initial yellow alert, predicts winds of 40-50 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 60 km/h during the thunderstorm. The IMD also forecasts that the temperature will remain below normal for the next few days.
On Sunday, Delhi experienced a relatively cooler day with temperatures below the seasonal average. The maximum temperature was recorded at 36°C, which is 3.3°C below normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 24.2°C, 0.5°C lower than usual. The weather department anticipates that generally cloudy skies will persist through the week, with light rain and sustained winds expected. Light rain was observed on Sunday, and more is anticipated late at night, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
“Generally cloudy skies are likely to persist over the week until Thursday, along with very light rain and sustained winds. Strong surface winds are expected during thunderstorms,” an IMD official stated. While there is no alert for Wednesday, the city may experience light rain with thunderstorms.
Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet Weather, mentioned that the formation of weather cells towards Haryana could bring patchy rain in the coming days. However, he emphasized that the intensity of these rains would not match the severity of the storm from Friday. He further noted that a western disturbance, along with cyclonic circulations in surrounding areas, is driving these pre-monsoon weather activities in the region.
In addition to the weather concerns, the air quality in Delhi has deteriorated slightly and remains in the ‘poor’ category. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday was recorded at 232, compared to 180 the previous day and 145 on Friday. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi, the AQI is expected to remain in the ‘moderate’ category from May 5 to May 7, with conditions potentially slipping back to ‘poor’ by the end of the week.
The IMD’s forecast suggests that the heatwave conditions are unlikely to return, with maximum temperatures expected to stay below 36-37°C throughout the week. Residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the weather evolves.
Sources By Agencies