Even as Delhi sizzled under the scorching sun on Friday, showers in the afternoon brought some relief for the residents. However, there were some complaints of heavy traffic due to rain.
The Mehrauli-Badarpur road and Outer Ring Road from Malviya Nagar to Nehru Place saw heavy traffic after the rains. There were also reports of traffic jam at Mathura Road, NH8, Nirman Vihar Railway station and loni Border.
Also, there was traffic jam from Model Town to Azadpur, said traffic officials. However, on most of the other crucial stretches, traffic remained more or less normal, the official added.
Before the rains, the city scorched as the mercury soared at 43 degree Celsius, four notches above the season’s average. At Palam Observatory, the maximum temperature was recorded at 44.5 degrees.
“The Safdarjung Observatory, reading of which is considered the official figure for Delhi, recorded 43 degree Celsius, while the maximum temperature at Palam, lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar Observatories were recorded at 44.5, 42.8, 43.3 and 43.6 degree Celsius respectively,” said a Met Department official.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 27.5 degree Celsius, two notches above the normal. The humidity level in the air oscillated between 68 per cent and 21 per cent. In what may come as relief, the MeT office has hinted about the possibility of thunderstorm and dust storm towards night and tomorrow early morning.
“Tomorrow, the skies will be partly cloudy. Thunderstorm and dust storm is likely to occur towards the night today and early morning tomorrow.
“The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover at 43 degree Celsius and 27 degree Celsius,” the official said.
Delhi had witnessed the hottest day of the season so far on May 2 when the maximum temperature rose to 44 degree Celsius, five notches above the season’s average.