17 Jun Delhi weather update: Rains hit Delhi-NCR, thunderstorms likely, says IMD; issues red alert
The change in weather was seen after the IMD issued a red alert for Delhi and surrounding areas earlier today.
The top weather body forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by hail, moderate to heavy rainfall, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 70 kmph at isolated locations over the next two hours.
Further, IMD has warned that intense lightning may pose a danger to life, particularly in open spaces. Disruptions to road, rail, and air travel are likely, and there’s a risk to livestock and people working outdoors.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. To avoid damage from lightning surges, electrical appliances should be kept unplugged. The IMD also cautioned people against taking shelter under trees or metal structures and using mobile phones outside during thunderstorms. Farmers and outdoor workers were urged to suspend their activities immediately and move to a sheltered area. The Met department has asked the public to stay updated through its official website and verified media sources.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in the national capital was 29 degrees Celsius on Tuesday — 1.5 degrees above the seasonal average — with relative humidity at 71% at 8:30 am.
The maximum temperature is expected to reach about 34 degrees during the day, according to the IMD.
Earlier, Delhi was placed under a yellow alert until Thursday, with the IMD forecasting light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 50-60 kmph during this period.
The city’s air quality remained in the “satisfactory” category on Tuesday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 96 at 9 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor”, and 401-500 “severe.”
Light to moderate rainfall at few/many places Heavy Rainfall (7-11 cm) very likely at isolated places over Bihar, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Madhya Pradesh, North Interior Karnataka, Punjab, Sub Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and Uttarakhand, said IMD.
Several parts of India including Gujarat and Kerela have received rainfall even as IMD said that monsoon will hit India in the second half of June.
The weather office had predicted lower temperatures and light rains in the area earlier on Monday.
(With inputs from PTI)