Parts of Delhi experienced thundershowers and hailstorms with rain on Monday evening in what is expected to be a respite from the city's air quality concerns. The meteorological conditions contributed to a marginal improvement in air quality, with the maximum temperature recorded at 24.2 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average, news agency PTI reported. The minimum temperature settled at 13.4 degrees Celsius, three notches below the season's average.
At 4 pm, the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) for Delhi was reported at 395, and it measured 391 at 9 pm, PTI reported. The AQI provides a measure of air pollution, with different categories indicating the level of pollution. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', while 401 to 500 is classified as 'severe'. The AQI readings in the past week have ranged from 301 to 415.
The forecast for Tuesday predicts a partly cloudy sky with the potential for shallow to moderate fog in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle around 25 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius, respectively, as per PTI.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted thunderstorms with light to moderate-intensity showers and gusty winds in various areas, including Mundaka, India Gate, Palam, Lajpat Nagar, and Noida.
The Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) indicated that similar weather conditions would persist in Delhi's adjoining regions.
Delhi Rain: 16 Flights Diverted Due To Bad Weather
Due to bad weather in Delhi, as many as 16 flights were diverted, news agency PTI reported citing an official. The flights were diverted between 1800 and 2000 hours. The official told PTI that 10 flights were diverted to Jaipur, three to Lucknow, two to Amritsar, and one to Ahmedabad. PTI reported another official as saying that five Air India flights were diverted. One of the Air India flights coming from Sydney was diverted to Jaipur.
Two Delhi-bound Vistara flights were diverted today due to bad weather and Air Traffic congestion.
"Flight UK742 from Guwahati to Delhi (GAU-DEL) has been diverted to Jaipur (JAI) due to bad weather and air traffic congestion at Delhi airport and is expected to arrive in Jaipur at 1930 hours," the airline informed, as per ANI.
Earlier, it stated, "Flight UK778 from Kolkata to Delhi (CCU-DEL) has been diverted to Lucknow (LKO) due to Air Traffic congestion at Delhi airport and is expected to arrive in Lucknow at 1845 hours."
Despite the rain providing a brief respite, Delhi's air quality remain to be a concern. The city was enveloped in a thick layer of smog, with visibility reduced to 600 meters at Safdarjung Observatory and 800 meters at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The air quality index (AQI) for Delhi stood at 400 at 9 am, nearing the 'severe' category.
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