Much awaited rain hits Delhi, more showers likely today

Rains and thunderstorm in several parts of Delhi brought respite from the prolonged heat on Friday.

The Met department has predicted more rains on Saturday.

“The sky will remain cloudy with more thundershowers likely in some areas on Saturday. The maximum temperature is expected to be 38 degree Celsius,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department.

Although Delhi received less than 0.10 mm of rainfall early on Friday, more rains followed in late evening.

Generally, monsoon reaches Delhi by June 29 every year. “Pre-monsoon showers have started in Delhi but actual monsoon rains are expected to begin only in the weekend,” added the official.

While humidity levels were recorded at 67 per cent at 8:30 am on Friday, the minimum temperature settled at 29.10 degree Celsius.

Waterlogging across the city affected traffic in several areas such as National Highway 24, Noida Link Road, Janakpuri, Bawana, Mori Gate, Pusa Road, Kishanganj, Parliament Street and ITO Ring Road, among others.

Delhi had been reeling under intense heat because of monsoon missing its date. Scorching heat had forced the authorities to extend summer vacations in Delhi schools as well.

The control rooms of municipal agencies received several complaints of waterlogging from Balmiki Mohilla, Azadpur village and Rana Partap Bagh.

Only one complaint about a tree crashing down was received from Sangam Park at Rana Partap Bagh. Complaints of a crumbling boundary wall at Raj Extension and Gandhi Nagar, and another wall collapsing at Hiran Kundana were also received by the control rooms.

Thursday’s maximum temperature was 41.10 degree Celsius and the minimum was two notches above at 29.50 degree Celsius. A Delhi Transco statement said pre-monsoon showers resulted in less power demand in the city, though power cuts were reported from some parts of Delhi.

Delhi Metro services were also affected due to rain. A DMRC spokesperson said trains running on the Jahangirpuri-HUDA City line had to slow down for some hours.