The oppressive heatwave that had clutched Delhi eventually ended as rain poured over multiple locations of the city early Sunday morning. A soothing relief was confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in the form of a temperature drop after the showers. Citizens awoke to overcast skies, a refreshing breeze, and intermittent showers, providing relief from days of unrelenting heat.
Deluge Sunday: City Witnesses Looming Rainfall and Thunderstorms
The capital witnessed 42 mm of rain on Sunday morning, which lowered the temperature considerably. As per the IMD, major areas received heavy showers Safdarjung received 33.5 mm, Rains Lodhi Road got 32 mm, and Pusa received 27.5 mm. The weather change was accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning between 2:30 AM and 4:30 AM.
The gusty winds also caused power cuts in various regions. Wind speed at Palam Airport reached 56 km/h at 4:30 AM. Even visibility reduced significantly from 4,000 meters at 2 AM to a mere 1,500 meters within an hour.
Temperature Shift: Record Steep Fall from Heatwave Heights
On Sunday, the maximum in Delhi was 41.8°C — 1.9 degrees higher than normal. However, rain reduced daytime temperatures in many areas. Safdarjung recorded a high of 35.6°C, 3.2°C less than the average, and a low of 20°C, 7.5°C below normal.
So also, Palam recorded a high of 35°C (4.2°C less than normal) and low of 24°C (3.8°C below normal). Minimum temperature throughout the city was recorded at 20°C, much lower than the season’s average, while it was approximately 43% humid by the evening.
Looking Ahead: Monday Weather Forecast and Wind Alerts
For Monday, there is a forecast of light to moderate rain with thunderstorm and squally wind from IMD. The wind speed will reach 50–60 km/h until the evening. The maximum temperature of the city will range around 37°C, and the minimum will be at 23°C.
Breath of Fresh Air: AQI Improves to Satisfactory
Alongside the temperature drop, air quality in Delhi also saw an improvement. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 62 at 4 PM on Sunday, which falls under the “satisfactory” category. This cleaner air comes as a relief after weeks of high pollution levels. According to the CPCB scale, values between 51–100 are considered satisfactory, while anything below 50 is rated as “good.”
