On Saturday, Delhi’s maximum temperature settled 0.9 notches below normal, at 35.2°C, following a dramatic change in weather conditions caused by strong dust storms and gusty winds the previous day. The relative humidity fluctuated between 41% and 78%, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD reported 0.7 mm of rainfall over the last 24 hours, which ended at 8:30 am on Saturday. Ayanagar received the highest rainfall in the capital at 4 mm, while Pitampura, Palam, and Ridge recorded lower amounts. Other stations like Safdarjung observed 0.7 mm, while Lodhi Road, Pusa, and Mayur Vihar saw 0.5 mm each.
The minimum temperature dropped to 19°C, which was 2°C below the season’s average. This sharp temperature drop followed the previous day’s dust storms and rainfall. Delhi residents witnessed a sudden shift in the weather, as rain cooled the city after the dust storms had raised temperatures earlier.
Tragically, the dust storms led to the deaths of two people. In the Dwarka’s Kakrola area, a 10-year-old girl, Avani, was killed when a building parapet collapsed on her. In another incident in Chander Vihar, a 67-year-old man, Chander Pal, lost his life when construction material fell off a roof, striking him.
In response to the extreme weather conditions, the IMD issued an ‘orange’ warning for Delhi-NCR, indicating adverse weather conditions expected to continue until Saturday evening. Residents were advised to stay indoors, secure doors and windows, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies for Sunday, with the maximum temperature expected to rise to 37°C and the minimum to 20°C.
As of Saturday afternoon, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘moderate’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 166, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between 101 and 200 is categorized as ‘moderate,’ indicating that individuals with respiratory issues might experience some discomfort.
Sources By Agencies
