Little respite from raging heat as city witnesses light rain

New Delhi: While the weather officials had predicted dust storms in Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, winds were relatively slow and were unable to kick up much dust as a result. However, residents in South Delhi found some respite when the area saw light showers in the morning. Areas such as Mathura Road, Ashram, Srinivaspuri, Lajpat Nagar, and South Ex received some rains with gusts of wind around 9:30 am but the relief was short-lived as the people expecting heavy showers were disappointed when the waterworks stopped within 10 to 15 minutes.

But despite this, Delhiites all over got some relief from the heat with maximum temperature on Tuesday reaching 44 degree Celsius, four degrees below the maximum June temperature of 48 degree Celsius, recorded on Monday. The highest-ever temperature in Delhi was 48.4 degrees Celsius which was recorded on May 26, 1998.

While a weather official said that pre-monsoon activity such as light rains will continue over the next 24-48 hours due to some cyclonic circulation of Central Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan, it is very likely that the Capital will once again become dry.

"Presently a Cyclonic Circulation has formed over Central Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan. A trough is also seen extending up to Bangladesh while passing north of Delhi. Thus, pre-Monsoon activities in terms of light rain have once again commenced over Delhi and NCR after a long recess. We expect these on and off pre-Monsoon activities to continue in Delhi and its adjoining areas for the next 24 to 48 hours. Thereafter, the weather will once again become dry but moderate to strong winds will continue raising dust and increasing pollution levels in the city," the official said.

The whole of North India has in fact been struggling under an unrelenting heat wave in the last few weeks. Last week, Rajasthan's Churu remained the hottest in the country and recorded a temperature of 50.3 degrees Celsius.