IMD issues orange alert for Delhi; Rainfall activities continue in parts of India next week
New Delhi, Mar 31 (Representative) The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued an orange alert for Delhi as the rain continue to lash from Thursday evening.The Weather agency said Light-intensity rain is expected over parts of Delhi and NCR on Friday as well.Overcast skies, light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms, strong winds of 30 to 40 kmph, and hail in isolated places are forecast for the day. Meanwhile, the National Capital has received rainfall this month is around three times the normal.With 16.1 mm of rainfall at the Safdarjung weather observatory over the past 24 hours, the monthly total stands at 53.2 mm, 206 percent above the normal of 17.4 mm till March 31, according to IMD data.Both Palam and Lodhi Road have also recorded higher amounts of rainfall in the past 24 hours – 18.4 mm and 23 mm respectively.
“Very light rainfall is on the forecast for Delhi on Saturday as well. With another western disturbance likely to affect northwest India from April 2 onwards, very light rainfall or a drizzle is likely on April 3″ said IMDIn its warning, the IMD forecast scattered to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds are likely over northwest India on March 31 and April 1, with isolated hailstorms likely over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and East Rajasthan on Friday.Under the influence of Western Disturbance, isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms likely over Western Himalayan Region during many days of the week (6th April to 12th April)IMD said due to trough/cyclonic circulation over north Peninsular India, isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms likely over south Peninsular and central India during many days of the week.”Overall, rainfall activity is likely to be above normal over south Peninsular & central India and below normal over rest parts of the country” It said.The maximum temperatures over northwest India are likely to fall by 2 to 4 degrees over the next 24 hours and rise by 2 to 4 degrees thereafter, going by the forecast.
The Weather agency said due to likely rainfall/thunderstorm activity over most parts of the country during the next 4-5 days, maximum temperatures are very likely to be near normal or below normal over most parts of the country during most days of the week.”Maximum temperatures are in the range of 35-38°C over most parts of central, east & southPeninsular India and these are less than 35°C over rest parts of the country” it said.