Yellow alert for Delhi, IMD predicts rain on Independence Day

NEW DELHI: Rain is likely on Independence Day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the national flag at Red Fort. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for light to moderate rain from Wednesday to Friday.
IMD's forecast indicates generally cloudy skies over the next few days, with light to moderate rain, thundershowers, or lightning expected during this period.
The Met department has warned that light to moderate rain may cause minor traffic disruptions, an increased chance of vehicle accidents, and water accumulation in low-lying areas and on roads. “Check for traffic congestion on your route before leaving for your destination. Follow any traffic advisories that are issued in this regard. Avoid going to areas that face waterlogging problems often,” said the IMD.
On Tuesday, parts of Delhi recorded light to moderate rain. Safdarjung, the city’s base station, logged 12.2 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. During the same period, Delhi University reported 25.5 mm, Ridge in north Delhi saw 23.8 mm, Lodhi Road 8.8 mm, Ayanagar 8 mm, and Pitampura recorded 7.5 mm of rainfall.
According to the Met department’s data, Safdarjung received 220.8 mm of rainfall in Aug until 5.30 pm on Tuesday, nearing the long-period average for the entire month, which is 233.1 mm.
“The monsoon trough is near its normal position at mean sea level. It is likely to oscillate near its normal position most days of the week. A cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Rajasthan and its neighbourhood extending up to middle tropospheric levels. A trough runs from this cyclonic circulation to Bangladesh at lower tropospheric levels. Another cyclonic circulation lies over southeast Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan at lower tropospheric levels. These weather systems are causing rain in northwest India,” said a Met official.
In its bulletin on Tuesday, IMD said, “Fairly widespread to widespread light or moderate rainfall is very likely over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; scattered to fairly widespread rainfall over Jammu-Kashmir, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the week.”
The maximum temperature on Tuesday was 33.6 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal. The minimum temperature was 25 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. Relative humidity ranged between 76% and 100%.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘satisfactory’ category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 65. It is expected to stay in the same category for the next few days.