New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) The atmosphere at the historic Red Fort carried a sense of quiet endurance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to address the nation on Independence Day. Residents gathered amid relentless humidity, rather than heat, which tested their patience.
As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light rain made an appearance, prompting attendees to reach for their raincoats.
According to the IMD, Delhi's minimum temperature dropped to 24.2 degrees Celsius, falling 2.3 degrees below the usual for this time of year.
The morning's mist and overcast sky slightly reduced visibility, with humidity levels soaring to a stifling 99 per cent by 7:30 am, dropping to 94 per cent an hour later, as per IMD data.
Dignitaries resorted to hand fans sourced from local markets for relief, while others used cotton towels to dab at their foreheads.
On Thursday, a relentless downpour had wreaked havoc in the city, inundating neighborhoods and all but paralyzing traffic. This time, however, Delhi experienced only the heavy, oppressive air as the rain held off.
Over the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Friday, the city recorded 80 mm of rainfall.
The maximum temperature for the day is expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has forecast a predominantly cloudy sky with chances for one or two showers or thundershowers throughout the day.
The air quality at 9 am was deemed 'Satisfactory' with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 69, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels with zero to 50 as 'good', 51 to 100 as 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 as 'moderate', 201 to 300 as 'poor', 301 to 400 as 'very poor', and 401 to 500 as 'severe'.
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