NEW DELHI: Heavy rain lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Monday afternoon, bringing a sudden change in the weather. A dust storm accompanied by strong winds swept across several parts of the city, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for thunderstorms and rain.The IMD said a dust storm followed by thunderstorms, light to moderate rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds of 70-90 kmph was highly likely across the national capital. At 2.30 pm, Palam recorded wind speeds of 50 knots (92 kmph).Several parts of the city are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds of 60-70 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 80 kmph.Weather experts attributed the sudden change in Delhi’s weather to a western disturbance currently influencing the Himalayan region. They said its effect is expected to weaken from Tuesday, after which temperatures are likely to rise again.The city also witnessed light rainfall during the morning hours.According to the IMD, Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 28.2 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees above the seasonal average.(With agency inputs)
