Rain keeps mercury down in Capital

Delhi continues to be blessed as strong winds set the stage for a spell of heavy rainfall for the third consecutive day.

An early morning squall and a spell of heavy rains that followed kept the mercury significantly low in the national Capital for the third consecutive day on Sunday.

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Strong winds at about 48 kmph hit the Capital at about 5:30 am, setting the stage for a spell of heavy rainfall.

The Safdarjung weather office recorded 22.2 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours ending 8:30 am, while Palam region of the Capital received 54.4 mm rains in the same period.

The minimum temperature this morning was 22.7 degrees celsius, a good six degrees below normal. Dismissing suggestions of pre-monsoon showers, the weatherman said the Capital and adjoining parts was receiving rainfall due to an upper air cyclonic circulation over central Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The normal onset date of monsoon over the Capital is June 29.

The Safdarjung office has recorded 87.5 mm rainfall this month, while the Palam office has received 100.7 mm rainfall for the same period.

The weatherman has forecast intermittent rains in parts of the Capital throughout the day, while the sky is expected to remain cloudy.

The maximum temperature is likely to be around 34 degrees celsius. The mercury had hit the 45-degree mark last weekend, making it one of the worst spells of any summer but rains lashed the national Capital on Friday and brought relief from the simmering heat. Delhi had also experienced heavy downpour on Saturday.