Residents of Delhi are currently experiencing noticeable relief from the intense heatwave that gripped the city in April. For Saturday as well, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted partly cloudy skies throughout the day, which is expected to keep the rise in temperature in check. Meanwhile, air quality in the capital remained in the 'moderate' category.
Following rainfall and hailstorms that lashed parts of the city on Thursday, temperatures dropped below normal levels on Friday, making the weather significantly more comfortable compared to the recent heatwave conditions. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature settled at 36.4 degrees Celsius, which is 2.9 degrees below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature was recorded at 22.8 degrees Celsius, also 1.9 degrees below normal.
For Saturday, similar conditions are likely to persist. The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies, with the maximum temperature expected to range between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius. While the intensity of the heatwave has reduced, residents may still experience some discomfort due to humidity. However, light winds in the evening are likely to bring partial relief.
Weather stations across the national Capital reported lower-than-usual temperatures. Safdarjung, the city's base station, recorded the day's highest temperature at 36.4 degrees Celsius. Other areas also witnessed a dip, with Palam recording a maximum of 35.1 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road 34.6 degrees, Ridge 34.9 degrees, and Ayanagar 35.4 degrees all several degrees below normal.
Minimum temperatures also followed a similar trend across the city. Palam recorded 21.3 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road 21.8 degrees, Ridge 20.4 degrees, and Ayanagar 21.4 degrees, all below the usual range for this time of the year.
This drop in temperature has come as a welcome respite for residents who had been coping with rising heat over the past few days.
Meanwhile, air quality in the capital remained in the 'moderate' category, with AQI readings recorded at Anand Vihar (136), Aya Nagar (115), Burari Crossing (122), Chandni Chowk (100), Commonwealth Sports Complex (109), DTU (112), Dwarka Sector 8 (131), IIT Delhi (116), JNU (95), Jahangirpuri (157), Mundka (136), Narela (140), North Campus (109), RK Puram (108), Rohini (149), Sonia Vihar (141), and Wazirpur (106).
After heatwave spell, thunderstorms likely to hit several MP districts
Bhopal, May 2 (IANS) A shift towards unsettled weather conditions, moving away from the recent dry spell and heatwave, is expected across several districts of Madhya Pradesh in the coming days.
While the weather remained largely dry in many divisions in recent days, significant atmospheric changes are now influencing the region, including multiple cyclonic circulations and troughs extending from Rajasthan to the northeast, the Bhopal centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
A wider swathe of the state will remain under a light thunderstorm watch, with wind speeds reaching up to 40 kmph. This alert covers Bhopal and Bairagarh, Gwalior, Datia, Ratangarh, Shajapur, Sehore and Damoh. In the eastern and southern belts, Jabalpur, Bhedaghat, Katni, Umaria, Bandhavgarh, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Kanha and Anuppur are included in the forecast.
Furthermore, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Niwari, Orchha and Tikamgarh are likely to witness similar light thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning, the IMD centre said.
Residents in several regions should prepare for moderate to intense weather activity during the afternoon and evening hours. Raisen, Sanchi and Bhimbetka are expected to experience moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph. There is also a high likelihood of hail in these locations.
Similar conditions are predicted for Guna, Vidisha, Udayagiri, Ashoknagar, Sagar, Rajgarh and Narsinghpur, where residents may witness moderate to light thunderstorms. These areas could see lightning, hail and gusty winds peaking at around 50 kmph.
Maximum temperatures have reached 43.2 degrees Celsius in Raisen, while the lowest minimum temperature was recorded at 15.8 degrees Celsius in Damoh. Over the past 24 hours, rainfall has already been recorded at isolated places in the Shahdol, Chambal, Jabalpur and Sagar divisions. Notable rainfall totals include 8.6 mm in Panagar and 8 mm in Sleemanabad.
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests a slight rise in maximum temperatures by around 2 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours. However, a gradual cooling trend is expected thereafter, with temperatures likely to drop by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the subsequent three days.
Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors during lightning activity and to secure loose structures to prevent wind damage.
(With inputs from IANS)
