Pre-monsoon showers lash Capital

Heavy spell of rain provides the much-needed relief; thunderstorm likely today

Waterlogging was witnessed on Bal Bhavan Road near Bahadur Shah ZafarMarg in Delhi on Thursday; PHOTO: SHANKER CHAKRAVARTY

: With the monsoon expected to reach the Capital within the next two days, pre-monsoon showers lashed the city on Thursday evening. The short but heavy spell of rain managed to cool down the city after a hot and sultry day.

The maximum temperature on Thursday settled at 39.8 degree Celsius, three notches above normal. The minimum temperature recorded at 30.6 degree Celsius was also three notches above normal.

Short wait

Officials at the MeT department said that the showers that lashed the Capital were pre-monsoon showers and that monsoon was likely to hit the city in the next 48 to 72 hours.

The humidity level oscillated between 79 and 45 per cent. The forecast for Friday reads partly cloudy sky with a likelihood of rain accompanied by thunderstorm in the evening. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 39 and 29 degrees Celsius.

Ripples on social media

Delhiites had a field day on social media welcoming the rain and pleading that it stayed for a while.

However, a few were unhappy with the inconvenience caused by waterlogging in various parts of the city. “National Flag installed at Cannnaught Place, Delhi is torn due strong winds and rain,” Sukoushal Jain, a user said on Twitter.