Rain, thunderstorm lash New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 10: Delhiites returning home from work were taken by surprise as rain accompanied by thunderstorm and squall lashed the national capital this evening on an otherwise hot day, providing much-need relief to people.

Darkness shrouded the sky suddenly at around 4.45 PM as rain and thunderstorm lasted for over an hour leading to traffic snarls in some parts of the capital. People returning home from office got stuck in traffic jams and those commuting through public transport were put to inconvenience because of the sudden rains and dust storm, the first showers this summer.

Sun shone bright through the day as the maximum temperature was recorded at 37.8 degree Celsius, which is two degrees above normal at this time of the season. A squall at a speed of 90 km per hour hit the capital and the rain gauges recorded 4.2 mm of rainfall from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM, the MeT office said. The minimum temperature was 22.3 degree Celsius, which is three notches above normal.

A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed which is usually associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow.

The sudden rain affected traffic movement at several places, including Dhaula Kuan underpass due to water logging. Reshmi, a software professional, was caught in the rains for almost 30 minutes delaying her departure from office by almost an hour.

"When I stepped out of my office in central Delhi, I was caught unawares by the rain. I tried to find a shelter, but got wet completely. The road was full of water," she said. Raj Kumar, a journalist, said it took more than double the time to reach his office from an assignment.

PTI