Rain brings respite from sweltering conditions in Delhi; more showers expected

Strong dust-raising winds swept parts of Delhi on Thursday, while the overcast skies kept the maximum temperature in check at 36.9 degrees Celsius.

Delhiites heaved a sigh of relief today as rain in some parts of the national capital brought the mercury down by a few notches. The city has been reeling under intense heat conditions, with temperatures being above 40 degree Celsius for the past three days.

The minimum temperature in the capital settled at 22.6 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said similar conditions are expected to prevail in the capital over the next two to three days and no heatwave is predicted until May 30.

Under the influence of a western disturbance active over the western Himalayan region, intermittent rains are predicted over northwest India, including the national capital and its surrounding areas, over the next two to three days, according to the IMD.

Earlier this month, the weather office had predicted below-normal maximum temperatures and fewer heatwave days in northwest India in May.

With the IMD anticipating a slight delay in the arrival of the southwest monsoon, the maximum temperatures are likely to remain above normal for a longer-than-usual period.