Respite from heat continues in Delhi, rain brings down max temperature by 13°C

The minimum temperature on Monday was also below normal – 19.6 degrees Celsius, which is five notches below the long period average.

The last time that Delhi saw a lower maximum temperature in May was 23.8 degrees in 2021, when the city recorded heavy rainfall of over 100 mm, data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows.

From 2011 onwards, Delhi has recorded a maximum temperature below 30 degrees Celsius only twice so far, once in 2021 and now this year, IMD data shows. The IMD has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday, when cloudy skies, light rainfall, thundershowers, and strong winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected. Cloudy skies are likely to persist on Thursday as well, when a drizzle is likely at a few places. Friday, Saturday and Sunday could remain dry, the IMD forecast indicates.

Respite from the heat is likely to continue over the next three days, with the maximum temperature remaining below 30 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is likely to remain at 27 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, while it is likely to be 29 degrees on Thursday. It is set to rise to around 35 degrees Celsius by Sunday.

While a western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation lies over Haryana, another western disturbance lies over south Pakistan, according to an IMD bulletin issued on Monday.