Spells of rain hit NCR 2nd day running, keep up evening chill

NEW DELHI/GURUGRAM: Spells of unseasonal light rain were reported across Delhi-NCR for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, catching residents by surprise, and giving the city a sudden burst of chill that is characteristic of December evenings.

- Aheli Das

Despite temperatures remaining above average on paper, the rain and cloudy skies created a noticeable drop in perceived warmth as bursts of rain were reported across the city lasting several minutes.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Christmas Day, warning of moderate to dense fog during the early hours. A similar alert has been issued for Friday, with predictions of widespread light to moderate rain accompanied by thundershowers in parts of the city.

Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 4pm was 369 ("very poor"), which improved to 349 by 10pm. This was a significant relief from Monday's AQI of 406 ("severe").

Separately, Gurugram logged a "very poor" 332 at 4pm, which improved to 301 at 11pm.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.9°C on Tuesday, 2.4°C above normal, compared to Monday's 8.6°C. The capital's maximum temperature rose slightly to 20.8°C, just 0.1°C above normal. Meanwhile, Gurugram logged a minimum temperature of 9.3°C, with the maximum at 19.9°C.