STORMY MAT LEAVES DELHI WITH 507% EXCESS RAINFALL

New Delhi

Delhi in rain

Temperature soared on saturday afternoon amid cloudy skies but thunderstorm along with gusty winds in some parts brought a relief as the mercury dropped sharply towards the evening. However, only trace amount of rainfall was recorded in some areas, bring an end to a month that was the third wettest May for Delhi since 1901, according to the weather department.

Forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) suggest similar weather condition to continue for the next few days. However, gusty winds that started late afternoon and continued till evening brought the gross temperature down. According to IMD data, Safdarjung, recorded a maximum wind speed of 40kmph at 4.30pm, and saw a fall in temperature by 6 degree celcius between 3.30 and 5.00pm. other stations recorded steeper drops at pritampura, the maximum fell by 8.3 degree celcius between 3.15 and 5.00pm, Delhi university saw a drop of of 8.4 degree celcius, Ayanagar 8.1 degree celcius and Najafgarh witnessed a 7.8 degree drop. While parts of the city recorded wind of speed 37-63kmph, no major rain was recorded in the city. The DU station recorded 0.5mm of rain between 2.30pm and 5.30pm, with only trace amount of rain recorded at a few more stations.Lat month was the third wettest May since 1901 Safdarjung received a total of 186.4mm rain this month, as compared to the normal of 30.7mm, recording an excess of 155.7mm rain, according to IMD data.

"Similar weather conditions are expected to continue at least till Wednesday. Partly cloudy skies will continue to persist. There is a possibility of very light rain, along with thunderstorm, lightnings and gusty winds of speed 40-50kmph, or even reaching 60kmph," said an IMD official. However, no weather alerts have been issued for the next few days.

The maximum is expected to be around 37-39 degree celcius on sunday and then go down further. The minimum is expected to be around 25-27 degree celcius on Sunday. Despite windy conditions, th e air quality deteriorated significantly, falling into the "poor" category. The 24 hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 241 at 4pm, according to the central Pollution Control Board's daily bulletin. It was 167 (moderate) at the same time on Friday.

Forecast by the Centre's Early warning System. However, show the air quality is likely to improve and return to the "moderate" category from Sunday." The air quality is likely to be moderate category from Sunday to Tuesday." The outlook for subsequent six days is that the air quality is likely to be in the moderate to poor category. said the EWS on Saturday.