Rains in Delhi after long lull, sultry weather persists

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) Light to moderate rains today hit Delhi, breaking a nearly a month-long lull in rainfall activity.

Though the rainfall, which followed a heavily overcast sky since morning, led to a drop in maximum temperature to 34.0 degrees celsius, from 36.2 degrees Celsius yesterday, a largely still air and high level of humidity led to the persistence of sultry weather conditions in the capital.

The rainfall, which began as light showers at around 1400 hours, was soon followed by a short spell of heavy rain.

About 19.0 mm of rainfall was recorded till 1730 hours, the weather office said.

The weatherman has forecast one or two more spells of rainfall in Delhi during the enxt 24 hours.

The day's showers broke the nearly-month-long lull in rainfall activity in Delhi since July 26, when the capital recieved the heaviest showers of the monsoon season.

The heavy clouds and rains could be a result of the Northwards movement of the Monsoon trough.

Numerical Weather Prediction models suggest northward shift of western end of monsoon trough and increase in the rainfall activity over western Himalayan region and Indo-Gangetic plains during the next 2-3 days.

Under the influence of the system, isolated heavy falls are also likely over southwest Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh which in turn could result in some more rainfall in other parts of North West India, including Delhi.

The weatherman said as against the usual rainfall level of 506 mm, Delhi has recieved just 478 mm between June and August.

UNI AR PA RS1815