Delhi weather today: IMD warns of thundershowers as May set for stormy end

A car was seen fully submerged at the infamous Minto bridge near Connaught Place. (Image credit: ANI)

Delhi is likely to experience strong weather activity on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds. A yellow alert has been issued for Thursday by the weather department, warning of possible light to moderate rain and storms with winds up to 70 kmph.

The city recorded a maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal, and a minimum temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius, which was a little above average on Wednesday. The city has seen the wettest May this year, with 186.4 mm recorded up to Sunday, May 25, The Times of India reported.

The upcoming stormy spell comes on the heels of a turbulent May that has already witnessed five major storms in the National Capital Region (NCR), resulting in at least 12 fatalities from house collapses, electrocution, and uprooted trees, according to a report by the Financial Express.

These weather events have mainly been caused by an increase in moisture and western disturbances or cyclonic systems that trigger storms.

According to the IMD forecast, a new western disturbance is expected to affect northwest India, including Delhi, on May 29. Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms/lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, is likely over Delhi NCR on May 29 and 30," stated a forecast from the IMD.

The weather department clarified that there is no heatwave expected in the coming week. It also said that the region is likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the upcoming monsoon season.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the “moderate” category on Wednesday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 151 at 4 pm, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).