City logs 5.5mm rain, spell helps region bridge deficit

Parts of NCR were hit by short but intense spells of rain on Sunday evening following dark grey clouds and gusty winds of over 50km/hr. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an “orange” alert earlier before upgrading it to a “red” alert by 7pm. The IMD has also forecast light to moderate showers in the city on Monday and patchy rain from Tuesday till Saturday.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

According to data from the IMD, Safdarjung, Delhi’s base station, received 10.1mm rainfall between 5.30pm and 8.30pm on Sunday. Maidan Garhi recorded 13.6mm, Pusa 10mm, Palam 1.2mm, Najafgarh 0.5mm and Janakpuri 0.5mm. Rain was accompanied by strong winds with speeds touching 57 km/hr at Pragati Maidan, 55 km/hr at Palam and 37 km/hr at Mayur Vihar.

“Delhi and NCR recorded rain due to the combination of three factors — presence of monsoon trough which was south of Delhi, impact of an active western disturbance, and low-pressure area over northwest Madhya Pradesh with associated cyclonic circulation extending up to the upper tropospheric levels,” said IMD scientist Krishna Mishra.

Rain in the last four days has helped Delhi cover the overall rainfall deficit, bringing the monsoon into the “normal” category. IMD data shows Delhi has received 117.8mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 12, compared to the normal of 126.3mm. Southwest Delhi was the only district in the “large excess” category. Six districts were in the “normal” category — central, New Delhi, northeast, south, southeast, and west. North Delhi and northwest Delhi are currently in the “large deficit” category.