Dust storm, rain likely to bring relief from heat

NEWDELHI: Delhi continued to reel under heatwave-like conditions for almost a week, even as the local meteorological department forecasted a possibility of a dust storm on Tuesday and rain on Wednesday that could provide some relief from the searing heat.

On Monday, the day temperature shot up to 43.5 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, which is taken to be a representative of the city’s weather. This was three degrees above the normal, officials said.

“It was not a heatwave on Monday. Heatwave is a condition when mercury shoots beyond 40 degrees Celsius and the temperature is at least five degrees above the normal,” said Kuldeep Srivastava, a senior scientist with the regional weather forecasting centre (RWFC).

At Palam and Aya Nagar the temperature was recorded to be 44.4 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius respectively, which was three degrees above the normal. With 42.2 degrees Celsius, the Ridge area recorded the lowest day temperature, which was two degrees above the normal.

Scientists of the India Meteor- ological Department said that the intense heat in Delhi and NCR were making conditions favourable for a dust storm and thunderstorm.

“There are chances of a dust storm or thunderstorm on Tuesday. But that could occur only in the late afternoon or evening. This means that the day temperature would remain almost the same as on Monday,” said RK Jenamani, head of the MET department at IGI Airport.

More than Tuesday’s dust storm IMD scientists are certain of rain and thundershower on Wednesday.

“Chances are higher that there would be rain and thundershower on Wednesday. A western disturbance is approaching and moisture-laden easterly winds are also gathering strength. The intense heat, the western disturbance and the easterly winds are expected to trigger some rain on Wednesday,” said a senior official.

The rain and thundershower would help to bring down the temperature to around 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, officials said.

Officials said the relief, however, would likely be short-lived as the day temperature is expected to rise gradually again from Thursday.