New Delhi: Delhi recorded 45.2 mm of rainfall between 2.30 pm and 5.30 pm on Wednesday, surpassing the city’s monthly normal of 123.9 mm. So far, in Sept, the city has logged 129.5 mm of rainfall, an excess of 5%. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), though there are chances of very light to light showers on Thursday and Friday, rain is unlikely from Saturday to Sept 29. Several parts of Delhi experienced light to moderate showers on Wednesday. Safdarjung, city’s base station, recorded 45.2 mm, Lodhi Road 25.6 mm, Mayur Vihar 17 mm, Ayanagar 0.7 mm and Rajghat 0.2 mm. Krishna Kumar, IMD scientist, said, “Parts of the city received rain due to a trough in the lower tropospheric level. However, no significant system is impacting the region.” This monsoon season, Safdarjung has logged 896 mm against the normal 640.04 mm, a 35% surplus. Rainfall has consistently exceeded averages since June. Nearly half the monsoon rainfall came in Aug alone, with 400.1 mm—72% above normal—making it the wettest Aug since 2010. June and July also saw excess rain of 45% and 24%, respectively. Despite Wednesday’s rain, hot and humid conditions persisted. The maximum temperature reached 35.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal, with relative humidity ranging from 53% to 98%. The heat index peaked at 41.3 degrees Celsius at 2.30 pm. The minimum temperature was 25.6 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal. Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category for the sixth day, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 114. The Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts moderate air quality on Thursday, improving to ‘satisfactory’ on Friday, before returning to moderate on Saturday.
