Significant Rainfall Brings Relief to NCR Amidst Humid Heat
Weather Transformation in NCR
The weather across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad, has undergone a remarkable change. Following several days of oppressive heat, heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday provided much-needed relief to residents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Yellow Alert' predicting further rain and thunderstorms in the coming hours. Recent data indicates that the Safdarjung weather station in Delhi recorded an average rainfall of 9.4 mm so far. While the normal average for March is 12.6 mm, this month has turned out to be the wettest March in the last three years, surpassing the previous record of 50.4 mm in March 2023.
Record Rainfall in March 2023
The last significant rainfall was noted in March 2023, when total precipitation reached 50.4 mm. This highlights the intensity of the current rainfall period. By 8 AM on Friday, various stations across the national capital reported rainfall, including Safdarjung (8.2 mm), Palam (6.2 mm), Lodhi Road (8.2 mm), Ridge (8.6 mm), and Ayanagar (7.2 mm).
Continued Rainfall on Thursday
Similar rainfall was observed on Thursday, accompanied by strong winds that swept through the national capital. This led to a rapid drop in daytime temperatures, making March the wettest month in the past three years, with an average rainfall of 9.4 mm. The maximum temperature recorded was 26.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this month. The IMD issued an 'Orange Alert' for the city until 11:15 PM on Thursday, indicating that residents should 'be prepared' for severe weather conditions that could disrupt daily activities, including transportation.
Relief from Humid Heat
The persistent cloud cover and intermittent rainfall have provided relief to the city, which has been grappling with humid heat for several days. Light rain was also recorded in various parts of Delhi on Wednesday. Between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM, light rain was noted at Safdarjung. Ayanagar recorded 0.5 mm of rain by 2:30 PM and 0.7 mm by 5:30 PM, indicating a relatively higher amount of rainfall.
Forecast for Continued Rain
The IMD had previously forecasted 'moderate rain with hail and thunderstorms (winds of 40–50 kmph)' for Delhi, Noida, Dadri, and Greater Noida. Similar conditions are expected to persist on Friday, with light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds likely in parts of Delhi-NCR. According to Mahesh Palawat from Skymet, 'A Western Disturbance is currently situated over northern Pakistan and adjacent Jammu and Kashmir, causing heavy rainfall in the western Himalayan regions. Additionally, an induced cyclonic circulation over Haryana is contributing to rainfall in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.'