New Delhi: Delhi on Thursday had the second day of nonstop mild to moderate rain, which caused some neighbourhoods to get flooded and disrupted traffic flow on major routes around the city, reported news agency PTI. An "orange alert" was also issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of periodic heavy rain that might hinder visibility, hamper traffic, and damage kutcha roads and vulnerable structures.
The recent rainy spells that occurred just before the monsoon withdrew from the National Capital Region may well assist to make up for the significant shortfall (46% in September so far). Additionally, it would maintain a stable temperature and pure air.
The city saw a minimum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius, and a maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius is anticipated. At 2:00 pm, the air quality index was 61 (satisfactory).
Over the next two to three days, the IMD warned that light rain may fall in several areas of Delhi. Only 58.5 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded at Delhi's main meteorological station, Safdarjung Observatory, thus far in September compared to a normal of 108.5 millimetres.
Due to the lack of any favourable weather systems in northwest India, it recorded 41.6 mm of rainfall in August, the least amount in at least 14 years.
Since June 1, when the monsoon season typically begins, Delhi has received 405.3 mm of rain overall, compared to an average of 621.7 mm.
Three days beyond the normal date of September 17, the IMD said on Tuesday that the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from portions of southwest Rajasthan and the neighbouring Kutch region.
Typically, the monsoon retreats from Delhi after leaving west Rajasthan after about a week.
If there hasn't been any rain in the area for five days, anticyclonic circulation has developed, and water vapour imaging indicates dry weather conditions over the area, the southwest monsoon is deemed to have withdrawn.
(With inputs from PTI)