Record Rainfall Hits Delhi Amid Ongoing Monsoon
Heavy Rainfall in Delhi
New Delhi, August 8 - Following four consecutive days of rainfall, the national capital experienced its highest single-day rainfall for August in the past two years on Saturday. In just the first eight days of the month, the total rainfall has nearly reached the average for the entire month of August. By 8:30 AM, Delhi recorded 98.7 mm of rain, marking the highest amount for a single day in August.
Previously, on the first day of August 2024, 107.6 mm of rain was recorded. As of Saturday morning at 8:30 AM, Safdarjung reported a total rainfall of 225.7 mm for the month, which is only a few millimeters shy of the long-term average of 233.1 mm. The persistent rain has led to traffic congestion in various parts of the capital.
Significant traffic jams were observed at Kalindi Kunj border, ITO, Press Enclave Road, Geetanjali Road, and the Mehrauli-Badarpur road. Several areas in East Delhi, including GT Road, were also affected by the traffic disruptions. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall was recorded at several weather stations on Saturday.
Between 11:30 PM on Friday and 2:30 AM on Saturday, Safdarjung received 16.6 mm of rain, followed by an additional 1.6 mm in the next three hours. From 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, a total of 4.4 mm of rain was recorded at this station. In Pushp Vihar, 165 mm of rain was noted over a 24-hour period by 8:30 AM on Saturday, with 38.5 mm falling between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM, and 18.5 mm by 2:30 PM, followed by another 8.5 mm in the subsequent three hours.
In the first eight days of the month, Safdarjung recorded 188.4 mm of rain, significantly higher than the normal average of about 60 mm, representing an increase of 214%. During the same period, Palam saw 155.4 mm of rain compared to the normal 57.9 mm, which is 168% above average. Similarly, Lodhi Road recorded 198.5 mm against a normal of 60 mm, exceeding the average by 231%.
The Ridge area reported 184.4 mm of rain, which is 225% more than the usual 56.7 mm. On Saturday, the maximum temperature in Delhi increased, while light to moderate rain continued throughout the day in some areas, as indicated by a yellow alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The maximum temperature recorded at the Safdarjung weather station was 32.8 degrees Celsius, which is 1.4 degrees below normal but 5.3 degrees higher than the previous day.
The minimum temperature was noted at 24.7 degrees Celsius, which is 2.2 degrees below normal and 0.9 degrees lower than the previous day. The IMD has forecasted light to very light rain in the coming days. An IMD official mentioned, "There is a possibility of very light rain in several areas on Sunday morning, with light rain expected in the evening as well." According to IMD predictions, the maximum temperature on Sunday is expected to be around 33-35 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature is anticipated to range between 23-25 degrees Celsius. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the satisfactory range on Saturday morning. By 4 PM on Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 63, which falls within the satisfactory category.
As per CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.