A fresh spell of rain and thunderstorms swept across several parts of Delhi-NCR on Tuesday, 7 July, offering much-needed respite from the intense heat and oppressive humidity that had gripped the region for days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'Yellow Alert' for the national capital, forecasting light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms at isolated locations through the day.

Morning Conditions Before the Showers

Delhi began Tuesday on a warm, sticky note. The minimum temperature was recorded at 30 degrees Celsius — 2.1 degrees above the seasonal average. According to the IMD, this was the highest minimum temperature in July since 2 July 2024, when the mercury had touched 30.7 degrees Celsius.

Despite the eventual rainfall, humidity remained stubbornly high through the morning. At 8:30 am, relative humidity stood at 79 per cent, pushing the 'feels-like' temperature to 44.7 degrees Celsius — conditions that made even routine outdoor activity uncomfortable.

Extent of the Rainfall and Forecast

The showers brought conditions more typical of the monsoon season — cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall, and occasional thunder and lightning. No heavy rainfall has been forecast, but intermittent showers and light winds are expected to sustain relief from the sultry weather over the coming days.

Earlier in the week, several parts of Delhi-NCR had already received heavy rainfall, with some areas recording between 10 mm and 30 mm of rain — enough to pull temperatures down to nearly 30 degrees Celsius in many locations.

Neighbouring Regions Also in the Rain Zone

The IMD predicted rainfall extending to several neighbouring areas, including Kaithal, Rohtak, and Sonipat in Haryana, as well as Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Pilkhua, Hapur, and Bulandshahr in western Uttar Pradesh. Fairly widespread rainfall is expected across Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh between 7 July and 9 July, as favourable monsoon conditions persist over North India.

Moisture-laden winds from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are supporting cloud formation and rainfall across the northern plains, the IMD noted.

Air Quality and Broader Monsoon Context

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'moderate' category on Tuesday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 110 at 9 am. This comes even as forecasts point to below-normal rainfall across the country this July — yet intermittent monsoon showers have continued to bring periodic relief to residents of the capital.

With the IMD's extended outlook pointing to continued spells through mid-July, residents can expect a gradual easing of heat stress, though sustained heavy rainfall remains unlikely in the near term.