Delhi Weather Updates: – September 15, 2023: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning early this morning as parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were drenched in rain accompanied by strong gusty winds. Residents of Noida, Gurugram, and various areas in Delhi woke up to the unexpected downpour, causing concerns over traffic congestion and slippery roads.
Areas such as MG Road in Haryana’s Gurugram, Connaught Place, and parts of South West Delhi, including Vasant Vihar, Munirka, and RK Puram, experienced light rainfall in the early hours of the day. According to IMD, the gusty winds and rain spells are expected to gradually decrease after 9:30 AM.
In a social media post, IMD warned, “Delhi-NCR is most likely to experience gusty winds at speeds ranging from 50 to 70 mph and moderate rain with occasional intense spells due to approaching clouds from NW Uttar Pradesh. Be updated and stay safe.”
The weather department further emphasized that the impact of this sudden change in weather would lead to traffic congestion and the risk of waterlogging. In light of this, they have advised citizens to follow traffic advisories, stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, avoid unnecessary travel, take safe shelter, refrain from seeking refuge under trees, avoid contact with exposed electric wires, and steer clear of electric poles.
Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, indicated that Delhi, Faridabad, Noida, and Gurugram might also experience intense rainfall during the next two hours. Mahesh Palawat, a weather expert, tweeted, “#Rain and #thunder have covered many parts of west #UP, east and north #Haryana. #Delhi, #Faridabad, #Noida, and #Gurugram may also witness intense spells during the next two hours. Take care, chances of traffic jams.”
Meanwhile, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) reported that the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stands at 104, placing it in the ‘moderate category’. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, while 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
The weather department had previously forecasted generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall in Delhi over the next five days. On Thursday, the maximum temperature settled at 37.6 degrees Celsius, which is four notches above the season’s average, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 27.8 degrees.
As Delhi and its surrounding regions grapple with the unexpected weather, residents are urged to exercise caution, stay updated on weather advisories, and prioritize safety to mitigate the challenges posed by these adverse conditions.