Delhi on 'orange' alert for next 2 days; rains predicted

New Delhi: The meteorological department has issued an "orange" alert in Delhi for the next two days even as the capital did not receive rains on Monday despite a prediction of showers.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 36.1 degrees Celsius, 1.7 notches below the season's average, while the minimum settled at 27.4 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year.

In a post on X, private weather-forecasting agency Skymet said, "The past two days have seen some respite from the downpours in Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region). However, weather experts predict a resurgence in rain activity, likely intensified rainfall over Delhi starting from July 2." The capital will be on an "orange" alert due to rain, according to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) seven-day forecast.

The forecast predicts a cloudy sky for the next seven days, with moderate to heavy rains over the next two days and thunderstorms with gusty winds across the city.

The IMD had predicted moderate to heavy rainfall and the capital was on an "orange" alert on Monday. However, no rainfall was recorded.

The IMD also released an advisory for the rainfall, outlining the expected impact and suggested activities.

According to the IMD, moderate rain is defined as rainfall amounting to between 7.6 mm and 35.5 mm in a day and heavy rain is defined as rainfall amounting to between 64.5 mm and 124.4 mm in a day.

The Safdarjung Observatory recorded 228.1 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Friday, more than three times the June rainfall average of 74.1 mm and the highest for the month in 88 years -- since 1936.

The IMD defines very heavy rain as rainfall amounting to between 124.5 mm and 244.4 mm in a day.

The torrential rain that brought Delhi to its knees last week was not a result of a cloudburst, the IMD clarified on Monday.