Thunderstorm hits city, weather dept says more on way
ALERT Meteorological department said stronger easterly winds could trigger more such storms over the next two days
NEW DELHI: A thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds and very light rain hit parts of Delhi on Thursday evening.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of more such storms over the next two days.
There were, however, no reports of any injuries or casualties. One domestic flight was diverted till reports last came in.
“A thunderstorm hit Delhi in the evening. There were gusty winds. While in Palam area the maximum wind speed recorded was around 58 km per hour, at Safdarjung the wind speed was 71 km per hour,” said a scientist of the regional weather forecasting centre.
The storm, which had hit national capital on Wednesday, had a wind speed of 106 km per hour. It had left one person dead and another 18 injured.
Some parts of Delhi received traces to very light rain. It failed to bring any considerable change in the mercury.
On Thursday, the maximum temperature was 41.8 degrees Celsius, which was two degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was recorded to be 26.1 degrees Celsius, which is normal during this time of the year.
“The day temperature over the next two days will remain around 42 degrees Celsius. This is because even though there are chances of thunderstorm on Friday and Saturday they are expected to occur towards the afternoon and evening,” said an official.
Intense heat during the day is paving the way for such storms. Thursday’s thunderstorm was triggered by the intense heat over northwest India and moisture that is being brought by the easterlies.
IMD officials also said that while on one hand a western disturbance is approaching, moisture laden easterly winds are getting stronger again.
“The western disturbance, moisture brought in by the easterlies and the intense heat over northwest India, is creating ideal conditions for more thunderstorms and squalls over the next two days,” said an official.