Heavy rains lash Delhi, reprieve from sweltering heat

Parts of Delhi received heavy rains on Thursday morning bringing respite from sweltering heat and humid weather, as the mercury settled at 27.6 degrees Celsius in the morning.

Delhi had reeled under sultry weather on Wednesday when the maximum temperature was recorded at 40.9 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season's average.

Conditions are favourable for the monsoon to reach the capital either on Thursday or Friday, the India Meteorological Department earlier said.

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However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to declare the arrival of the monsoon in the capital.

"An official statement will be made after reviewing the rainfall data in the region," a senior IMD official said.

The MeT office had earlier said the monsoon would reach the capital on Thursday or Friday.

The southwest monsoon usually arrives in the national capital on June 27.

However, Mahesh Palawat, vice-president (climate change and meteorology), Skymet Weather, confirmed these are the first monsoon showers in the region. Most parts of the capital reported a fresh spell of rain.

The IMD has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy rainfall in some areas in the city on Thursday and moderate rainfall on Friday. The maximum temperature will come down to 34-35 degrees Celsius.