Delhi-NCR waits for rain as humid heat persists; relief likely from Monday

New Delhi: Sunday morning across Delhi-NCR remained hot and humid despite cloudy skies, with no rain across most parts of the region and night temperatures staying unusually high. The India Meteorological Department said hot and humid conditions could continue at isolated places on Sunday. A spell of very light to light rain, accompanied by a thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds, is possible during the forenoon or afternoon. However, the forecast does not suggest widespread rain across the region during the day. More noticeable relief is expected from Monday, when rain is forecast at many places and the maximum temperature could fall to between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius. Why Delhi-NCR is feeling unusually hot Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, three degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was 30.2 degrees Celsius, also three degrees above normal. The high overnight temperature meant that the city received little relief even after sunset. Relative humidity ranged between 46% and 74%. The combination of above-normal temperatures and high moisture in the air made conditions feel more uncomfortable than the thermometer reading alone suggested. Safdarjung recorded no rainfall during the 24 hours ending Saturday morning or between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar, Pusa, Najafgarh and Mayur Vihar also remained dry. No rain was recorded at the reporting stations in Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram during the same period. Maximum temperatures across NCR remained high. Noida recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius, Ghaziabad 36.6 degrees and Gurugram 36.5 degrees. Palam recorded 37.4 degrees, while the temperature at Lodhi Road reached 37.8 degrees. Cloud cover, therefore, did not translate into meaningful rainfall or an immediate fall in temperatures. Will it rain on Sunday? IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky for Sunday, with a possible spell of very...