Sudden downpour brings relief from humidity in National Capital

The mercury climbed down many notches with the one-hour-long rain that lashed the national Capital and the adjoining NCR on Thursday afternoon. The rains brought the much-needed respite from the hot and humid conditions that were prevailing in the city for the past two days. The rains were in complete contradiction of the meteorological department's forecast that predicted a lull in monsoon till July 8. The weatherman had warned of high humidity and sultry weather till July 8 when rains were expected to make a comeback. The Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius while the minimum settled at 28.6 degrees Celsius.

The Lodhi Road and Palam areas gauged 39.2 mm and 4.6 mm of precipitation during the period, while areas under Ridge received traces of rainfall. The city recorded a high of 37degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 28.6 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal, said the official.

The sudden downpour slowed down traffic in South Delhi and parts of Central Delhi. People were also seen running for cover as skies poured in Delhi, Faridabad, Noida and Gurugram.

The weather department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle over the next three days. The temperature will oscillate between 38 and 37 degrees Celsius.