A spell of light rains in some of the north Indian states on Thursday brought some respite amid the prevailing heatwave conditions across the nation.
Light rain in Delhi
Safdarjung recorded 0.5 mm rainfall and Palam 3.8 mm. The maximum wind speed in Safdarjung and Palam was 18.5 km per hour and 55.5 km per hour respectively.
In Delhi, two flights had to be diverted to Jaipur from Delhi airport due to weather conditions, according to airport officials.
The weather department predicted partly cloudy skies for the next few days.
Greater Noida and parts of Gurugram are likely to witness rain and thunderstorm along with moderate winds, meteorologist from Skymet Weather Services Mahesh Palawat said.
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On Thursday, the maximum temperature settled at 36.3 degrees Celsius, one notch below the normal, while the minimum was recorded at 23.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season's average, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin. The relative humidity at 5.30 pm was 33 per cent, the bulletin said.
The air quality was recorded in the moderate category with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 159, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
According to the CPCB, An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
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UP, Himachal and MP also experienced relief
Besides Delhi, maximum temperature in several parts of UP also recorded a slight dip on Thursday where the mercury had crossed the scorching 44-degrees Celsius mark on Wednesday, with Prayagraj the hottest at 44.5 degrees.
Himachal Pradesh witnessed intermittent rains accompanied by hailstorms while snowfall was visible in tribal areas.
Similarly, Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal and some other parts of the state witnessed thunderstorms along with lightning and drizzle on Thursday morning owing to a western disturbance.
Heatwave conditions still in place in most places in India
While parts of north India enjoyed a little relief from hot weather conditions, heatwave conditions still prevailed most of the parts of the country, including Gangetic West Bengal on Thursday.
The maximum temperature settled at 40.6 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal, in Kolkata, IMD said.
Jharkhand continued to experience intense heatwave conditions with mercury touching 44.7 degrees Celsius in some areas.
The state government has already changed school timings from April 19-25.
Similarly, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced early summer vacation for primary, middle, and higher secondary schools of state board from Friday owing to heatwave conditions.
IMD has predicted that heat wave conditions are likely to continue over East India during the next two days.
