Squalls and dust storms, accompanied by light rains, lashed the national Capital on Sunday evening, bringing down the mercury to 31 degrees Celsius. Light rains lashed the city around 9 pm. A dust storm blowing at a speed of 92 km per hour hit Palam observatory, while it hit Safdarjung at a speed of 52 km per hour, MeT department said.
The Safdarjung observatory, the reading of which is considered as the official figure for the city, received 0.4 mm rain till 8.30 am, while areas under Palam, Ridge and Aaya Nagar recorded 3.2 mm, 0.4 mm and 3 mm rain, respectively, said a MeT department official. Lodhi Road recorded traces of rainfall till 8.30 am. The maximum temperature was recorded at 31 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The humidity oscillated between 79 and 43 per cent. The MeT department has predicted dust storm and thunderstorm along with a squall for tonight and for Monday.
“Tomorrow the sky will be partly cloudy. Dust storm and thunderstorm, accompanied by squall, is likely to occur. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 37 and 26 degrees Celsius,” he said. On Saturday, the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 41.5 and 31.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.