Delhi temperature takes a dip below 40 degrees after 13 days

The maximum temperature recorded in Delhi's Safdarjung Observatory dropped below 40°C after 13 days. The city's base station recorded 39.6°C for the first time in June.

This is a significant dip as the maximum temperature recorded on Monday was 43.7°C.

The India Meteorological Department said the minimum temperature recorded was 31.2°C which is three notches above normal. Consecutive western disturbances and lower-level easterlies are expected in the upcoming days. This may keep the temperature lower and drop to 35°C by Sunday.

This summer season, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 42°C and above on 26 days. This is the highest temperature since 2012.

Delhi has seen intense heatwaves this summer and recorded 49°C at some places in mid-May. The latest one was recorded on June 2 as the hot and dry westerly winds arrived and strong western disturbances stayed away.

The weather office has issued a yellow alert and warned the city of rain with thunder or light rain over the next six days. The capital city has not seen any rainfall since June 1 when the monsoon is supposed to start. Delhi usually received 13.8 mm of rainfall in the first 13 days of June.

In 2021, the monsoon arrived in Delhi on July 13 which was the most delayed in 19 years. The IMD had predicted the rainfall would begin two weeks before the usual date.