Heavy Rain Lashes Parts Of Delhi-NCR, Brings Respite From Days Of Scorching Heat

Delhi and other areas adjoining the national capital woke up to a cool morning after rain lashed parts of the region.

After days of scorching heat and prevailing heatwave conditions, rainfall brought respite to some areas of Delhi-NCR on Thursday morning. Delhi witnessed a sudden change in weather on Wednesday as the weather office predicted dust storm or thunderstorm during the day while the maximum temperature was recorded around 40 degrees Celsius. The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital was close to 'severe' level on an overcast Wednesday morning while the minimum temperature settled at 25.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average.

The India Meteorological Department had said, "Thunder squall with moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 50-70 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of *NCR* ( Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh), Palwal, Nuh (Haryana). Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 40-60 Km/h would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of *entire Delhi* and Karnal, Panipat, Gannaur, Meham, Rohtak, Bhiwani (Haryana) Kandhla, Baraut, Bagpat (U.P.) during next 2 hours."

On Wednesday, the visibility in the national capital was reduced to 1,000 metres due to strong dust-rasing winds caused by a combination of intense heat in northwest India over the past five days, dried-up soil due to the absence of rainfall, and strong winds that persisted since midnight, reported news agency PTI.

Experts claimed that the cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan is to blame for the dust in Delhi. Dust storms and light rain were caused by the cyclonic circulation over North Rajasthan. For the following three to four days, this activity's impact will be seen in phases over Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and parts of Punjab, reported India Today.

Over the period of the past four days, Delhi witnessed the maximum temperatures going above the 40-degree Celsius mark which led to the hot weather conditions intensifying even more and it is going to witness the temperature rise up to 44 Deg Celsius by the upcoming Sunday.