New Delhi, May 29 – May is expected to end on a wet and stormy note in the Capital, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more rain and gusty winds due to an approaching western disturbance.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Thursday and an orange alert for Friday, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and winds up to 70 km/hr. Rainfall is expected to be light on Thursday, with moderate showers possible on Friday.
“Light to moderate rainfall with gusty winds and thunderstorms is likely over northwest India due to the fresh western disturbance from May 29,” an IMD official said. Delhi has already recorded 186.4 mm of rainfall till May 28, surpassing the previous May record of 165 mm in 2008.
Despite no rain until 8:30 pm on Wednesday, Delhi’s maximum temperature was 38.6°C, two degrees below normal. Humidity levels ranged between 48% and 85%. The forecast for Thursday predicts a maximum temperature of 38–40°C with high humidity and likely evening storms.
Delhi has witnessed five major storm events this May:
- May 2: 77 mm rain, dust storm, winds at 80 km/hr
- May 15: Winds at 40–50 km/hr, visibility down to 1,200 metres
- May 17: Light rain, winds at 74 km/hr
- May 21: 12 mm rainfall, winds at 79 km/hr
- May 25: 81.4 mm rain, winds at 82 km/hr
Meanwhile, the IMD’s monsoon forecast projects above-normal rainfall across India from June to September (106% of long-period average). Delhi, Chandigarh and Haryana are expected to receive 114% of their normal monsoon quota of 431 mm. Though monsoon typically hits Delhi around June 27, it is advancing faster this year, having already reached Kerala on May 24 and Mumbai by May 26.
Delhi’s air quality remained in the “moderate” range on Wednesday, with an AQI of 151. It is expected to remain moderate at least until Friday, according to the Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System.
