Delhi cools down with hail, thunderstorms
Coming on the heels of a period marked by searing heat, hailstones on Tuesday battered parts of the national capital along with thunderstorms, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures and the cleanest air of the year in the city. According to an official, five flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Tuesday evening due to inclement weather conditions.
Several areas, including Dwarka, Najafgarh and the IGI Airport, experienced intense hail showers, catching residents off guard yet bringing much-needed respite from the summer heat. The AQI remained in the ‘satisfactory’ category for the second consecutive day.
In terms of rainfall, Palam recorded 9.8 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, followed by Ayanagar at 1.4 mm, while Safdarjung recorded only trace rainfall and Lodi Road and Ridge reported none during this period.
Till 8.30 am, Ridge recorded 11.9 mm rainfall, followed by Lodi Road at 6.1 mm and Safdarjung at 4.6 mm, while Palam recorded only trace rainfall and Ayanagar reported none.
The city remains under a yellow alert, with the weather department forecasting rain and thunderstorms in isolated areas later in the evening and night.
The national capital recorded below-normal maximum temperatures across all major weather stations, with Safdarjung logging a high of 33.6 degrees Celsius, 5.7 degrees below normal, while Palam recorded 32.8 degrees Celsius, 7.3 degrees below normal.
Lodi Road registered a maximum of 32.2 degrees Celsius, 5.8 degrees below normal, Ridge 32.8 degrees Celsius, 7.2 degrees below normal, and Ayanagar logged 32.8 degrees Celsius, 8.0 degrees below normal. Minimum temperatures also remained below seasonal averages at most stations, with Safdarjung recording 19.6 degrees Celsius, 5.1 degrees below normal.
