(Photo: mausam.imd.gov.in/)
Delhi-NCR is witnessing a severe spell of rainfall this week, along with thunderstorms, quick winds, and a sharp decline in temperatures, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) pushes up its warnings. Citizens and commuters in the capital city need to gear up for persistent weather disruptions and chilly days to come, led by active western disturbances.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi and surrounding areas, predicting persistent light to moderate rains until at least October 7. The overnight showers between Sunday and Monday led to widespread waterlogging in several parts of the city, with multiple areas recording rain totals ranging from 4.5mm to 13.5mm during this period. Delhi’s base station at Safdarjung logged 10.3mm, while locations like Pitampura and Mayur Vihar saw some of the heaviest rains.
Western disturbance activity remains the primary cause behind these showers, drawing in moisture from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The system will induce scattered showers and thunderstorms over Monday and Tuesday, IMD cautions. Peak wind speed have already reached above 50 km/hr in areas, and the gusty winds are expected to continue, leading to short-term power outages and light damage to property in exposed sections.
The capital has already experienced rainfall well above October's monthly average in just the first week- more than three times the normal 15.1mm average. Monday's high temperature is likely to drop to around 28°C, from 34.1°C on Sunday, with the low also likely to drop from 24.2°C to 20°C by Wednesday. This is an early beginning to the post-monsoon cold, with cold northwesterlies wind predicted to sweep across the region midweek, increasing the decline in temperatures day and night.
The rain and related weather have resulted in waterlogging, intense traffic congestion on Delhi and NCR highways, and moderate air quality index readings, as rain tends to block the regions. The IMD has cautioned citizens to remain indoors when there is heavy rain, not stand under trees and electricity wires, and make travel only if necessary.
Meteorologists predict that the spell of rain will slow down after October 7 and would be followed by gradual clearing and partly cloudy skies. But the cold winds would continue, causing the minimum temperatures to remain steadily low and giving Delhi its first taste of winter early. Concerned officials are on high alert for localised flooding, advising citizens to watch out for new advisories and be careful while commuting till the on-going spell of rains fully ends.
