Brief Rain Showers Bring Respite to Delhi's Searing Heatwave

Light rain in parts of Delhi brought relief from the intense heatwave. The India Meteorological Department predicts thunderstorms and gusty winds. The city's temperature settled at 28.4°C, and the AQI was recorded in the 'moderate' category. Heatwave conditions have abated due to a western disturbance.

Light rain showers were observed in various parts of Delhi on Friday, offering a much-needed respite from the fierce heatwave that has gripped the national capital, as per reports from the weather office. Thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain and gusty winds at speeds between 30 to 50 kmph are forecasted for Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region in the next two hours, according to a 3 pm weather bulletin.

The weather department noted that the city's minimum temperature had stabilized at 28.4 degrees Celsius, which is typical for this season. The India Meteorological Department predicted further relief from the oppressive heat over the weekend, with anticipations of partly cloudy skies on Saturday and Sunday. The forecast for Friday suggested a maximum temperature around 40 degrees Celsius. Delhi reported a relative humidity of 70 percent at 8:30 am.

The IMD on Thursday reported that heatwave conditions have alleviated in Delhi, influenced by a western disturbance and lower-level easterlies from the Bay of Bengal. Despite this, Delhi continues to grapple with a severe water crisis. Over the past five days, more than 50 bodies have been found in and around the city, according to a senior police official, though it remains unconfirmed if these deaths were heat-related.

At 1 pm, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 173, falling within the 'moderate' category, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board. AQI classifications range from 'good' at 0-50, 'satisfactory' at 51-100, 'moderate' at 101-200, 'poor' at 201-300, 'very poor' at 301-400, and 'severe' at 401-500.