Intense rain, storm keep city cool; more likely: IMD

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed widespread thunderstorms and short but intense spells of rain on Tuesday, leading to waterlogging and traffic snarls in several parts of the city.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which had initially issued a yellow alert for the day, upgraded it to an orange alert by 12.45 pm and then to a red alert at 2.15 pm, warning of rain, hailstorm and gusty winds reaching up to 80 km/hour.

Light to moderate rain was reported across Delhi, with Safdarjung—the base weather station—recording 10.4 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Other stations reported higher amounts: Palam received 37.2 mm, Lodhi Road 6 mm, Ridge 14.4 mm, Ayanagar 22.8 mm, and Pusa 40.5 mm.

"Thunderstorm activity began around 2.45 pm, followed by a second spell in the evening as an east-west squall line moved northeastwards," said an IMD official. During the spells, surface winds reached 20-30 km/hour, with Mayur Vihar recording the highest gust of 43 km/hour.