North gets rain relief after prolonged heatwave

A spell of light rain and thunderstorms brought partial relief from persistent heat across large parts of north India on Wednesday, with temperatures dipping in several states even as weather agencies warned of continued variability in the coming days.

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According to the India Meteorological Department, shifting atmospheric conditions led to cloudy skies, scattered showers and gusty winds across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, offering a break from the prolonged stretch of high temperatures. In the national capital, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung settled at around 37 degrees Celsius, a noticeable drop compared to recent days when readings remained above normal.

Meteorologists attributed the sudden change to a cyclonic circulation over areas adjoining Delhi. The weather office issued an alert for the evening, forecasting generally cloudy skies with light rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and surface winds of 30 to 40 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph.

Delhi's weather this April has been marked by sharp contrasts.

The city has recorded spells of rain alongside periods of heat, along with occasional days of cleaner air. Official data shows that the capital has received 27.9 mm of rainfall so far this month, making it the wettest April in nearly two decades, though still below the 38.6 mm recorded in April 2008.

It has also been among the least polluted Aprils in recent years.