Weather – Steady Rainfall Brings Relief Across Delhi NCR Region
Weather – A spell of widespread rain has brought noticeable relief to residents across Delhi-NCR, easing the discomfort caused by rising temperatures earlier this month. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that similar weather conditions are likely to continue, issuing a yellow alert for Friday warning of rain and thunderstorms in parts of the region.
Rainfall Eases Rising Temperatures
Over the past couple of days, intermittent showers have helped bring down temperatures across the national capital. The Safdarjung observatory, considered the city’s primary weather station, has recorded 9.4 mm of rainfall so far in March. This figure is close to the usual monthly average of 12.6 mm, suggesting a relatively wetter pattern compared to recent years.
The drop in temperature has been significant. The maximum temperature settled at 26.8 degrees Celsius, making it the lowest daytime reading recorded in the city so far this month.
Wettest March in Recent Years
The ongoing weather pattern has made this March the wettest the city has experienced in the past three years. The last time Delhi saw higher rainfall during this month was in 2023, when total precipitation reached 50.4 mm.
This year’s rainfall, though moderate so far, has been more consistent, contributing to improved comfort levels and reduced heat stress for residents.
Rainfall Recorded Across Key Stations
On Friday morning, several weather stations across Delhi reported measurable rainfall. Safdarjung and Lodhi Road each recorded 8.2 mm, while Ridge registered 8.6 mm. Palam saw 6.2 mm of rainfall, and Ayanagar reported 7.2 mm by 8 a.m.
Similar patterns were observed on Thursday, with varying rainfall levels across different parts of the city. Areas such as Pitampura received 5.5 mm, Pusa recorded 11.0 mm, Mayur Vihar saw 3.0 mm, and Janakpuri experienced relatively higher rainfall at 12.5 mm. These scattered showers contributed to a broader cooling effect across the region.
Continued Showers and Weather Alerts
Earlier in the week, the IMD had issued an orange alert, cautioning residents about potentially disruptive weather conditions, including thunderstorms, gusty winds, and even hailstorms. Wind speeds were expected to reach between 40 and 50 kmph in parts of Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Dadri, and Greater Noida.
Although the alert level has now been reduced to yellow, authorities continue to advise caution, especially for commuters and those planning outdoor activities. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected to persist through Friday.
Cloud Cover and Intermittent Rainfall Midweek
The weather shift began midweek, with cloudy skies and light rainfall offering early signs of relief. On Wednesday, Safdarjung recorded only trace rainfall during the morning hours, while Ayanagar reported light showers later in the day, accumulating up to 0.7 mm by evening.
These initial showers set the stage for the more widespread rainfall that followed over the next two days.
Air Quality Shows Improvement
The recent rainfall has also had a positive impact on Delhi’s air quality. Most monitoring stations across the city reported air quality levels in the ‘moderate’ category.
AQI readings varied across locations, with Anand Vihar at 178, Ashok Vihar at 117, Aya Nagar at 90, and Bawana at 122. Some areas like Burari Crossing recorded higher levels at 366, while cleaner air was observed in locations such as DTU (81) and IIT Delhi (86). Other areas including Dwarka, Narela, and Chandni Chowk remained within moderate limits.
The improvement in air quality is expected to continue if rainfall activity persists, offering additional environmental relief alongside cooler temperatures.