Delhiites and people living in the adjoining suburbs got a major relief from the blistering heat wave gripping the region as light to moderate rainfall pulled the maximum temperature down to 41.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Noida and East Delhi also witnessed a hailstorm which caught many by surprise. The Met Department has predicted similar weather conditions on Friday.
Scattered rains and thunderstorms occurred in several parts of the national Capital with the rain gauge measuring a rainfall of 0.8 mm till 5:30 in the evening.
The temperature came down by four to five degrees following the rains. The maximum temperature was recorded at 41.1 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, and down from Wednesday’s 43.6 degrees. The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 30.5 degrees, three notches above normal. Humidity levels remained between 57 and 31 per cent during the day.
Noida and East Delhi also witnessed a mild hailstorm along with lashing rains. People came out of their offices and homes to enjoy the rain. “I am completely drenched. I had no idea that it would rain today otherwise I would have carried an umbrella. But I am not complaining as the heat is gone. I wish the rain continues all day long,” said Sunidhi Batra, a college student attending a summer workshop in Central Delhi.
The weatherman has predicted a partly cloudy sky on Friday with possibilities of light rain and thunderstorms in some areas. The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 41 while the minimum temperature may remain as high as 31 degrees Celsius.
“The rain occurred due to a sudden formation of large clouds because of the high temperatures. These clouds were formed due to the southwesterly winds carrying moisture from the Arabian Sea where a cyclone lay at its centre. The thunderstorm occurred first in Noida and Ghaziabad and then reached Delhi by 3:15 pm.
At Palam, the day temperature was recorded at 43.6 degrees while at Aya Nagar and Ridge area, the maximum temperature was recorded at 42.2 and 41.5 degrees Celsius respectively. The maximum temperature between June 6 and June 10 was on a record-breaking spree as it touched 45 degrees Celsius and above.
Apart from the intense heat, people in the city are having a harrowing time due to the long power outages as authorities are yet to restore many of the major power transmission lines damaged by the devastating storm on May 30.