Dust storms hit Delhi on Monday even as the India Meteorological Department sounded a red alert for the all parts of the Capital in the afternoon.
The weather department has predicted moderate rainfall at isolated places, and light rain in most parts of the city, along with thunderstorm and lightning. However, strong winds between 60-70 kmph, and gusting to 80 kmph are likely in parts of the Capital.
Palam, Dwarka, and nearby areas logged winds with speed up to 92 kmph (50 knots) as of 2.30 pm IST. This comes after the regional met center in its district level nowcast had placed Delhi under an orange alert at around 1 pm on Monday, predicting moderate thunderstorm with lightning.
“Light rain with thunderstorm/ lightning accompanied with gusty winds (50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph) very likely at many places over Delhi,” the regional met center said, notifying that the alert would be in place till 5 pm on Monday.
The met center also predicted dust storm, followed by thunderstorm and light rains, in parts of the adjoining NCR (National Capital region), including Fatehabad, Barwala, Jind, Adampur, Hissar, Gohana, Hansi, Siwani, Meham, Sonipat, Tosham, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail and other areas over the next two hours. Delhi had also received light showers in the morning.
{{/usCountry}}The met center also predicted dust storm, followed by thunderstorm and light rains, in parts of the adjoining NCR (National Capital region), including Fatehabad, Barwala, Jind, Adampur, Hissar, Gohana, Hansi, Siwani, Meham, Sonipat, Tosham, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail and other areas over the next two hours. Delhi had also received light showers in the morning.
{{/usCountry}}Delhi had also received light showers in the morning. The mercury was expected to reach between 38°C and 40°C on Monday, and an Air Quality Index of 135 (moderate) was recorded at 9 am. The rainfall is owing to a sudden change to a western disturbance currently affecting the Himalayan region, PTI news agency cited weather experts as saying.
However, the system's impact is likely to weaken from Tuesday, following which the Capital will see a gradual rise in temperatures, according to experts.
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Wet spell to continue over northwest India till June 19
According to IMD, northwest India will continue to experience a wet spell till June 19 under the influence of active western disturbances.
The recent showers in Delhi have brought respite from the heatwave like conditions. However, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar had on Saturday (June 12) told ANI news agency that weather conditions across northwest India are expected to ease slightly as the western disturbance, currently over north Haryana, moves forward.
The meteorologists are anticipating a shift toward lighter to moderate rainfall in the coming days across northwest India. “Currently, the western disturbance is positioned over North Haryana, and while the rainfall intensity is expected to decrease, light to moderate rainfall is still anticipated across northwest India,” Kumar told ANI.