On Friday morning, residents of New Delhi and the surrounding NCR regions greeted the day with light rains and overcast skies, ending a prolonged heatwave that had plagued them for days. This welcome weather shift brought a refreshing breeze and a significant drop in temperatures after relentless scorching conditions.

As reported by the India Meteorological Department, the rains and accompanying thunderstorms were attributed to weather disturbances impacting northwest India. This precipitation provided a momentary respite from the sweltering temperatures that had made life uncomfortable for many in the capital.

Before the rainfall arrived, Delhi witnessed soaring temperatures that exceeded 43 degrees Celsius, with the Safdarjung weather station recording a peak of 43.3 degrees Celsius, well above the expected seasonal averages despite the brief cooling after the wind shift.

Meteorologists explained that prior to the rain, hot winds from Rajasthan and the Thar Desert amplified the heatwave, resulting in an extremely arid environment. However, the change in wind direction has now led to a temporary cooling effect and increased moisture in the atmosphere.

The IMD cautions that heatwave conditions may persist until May 28, with forecasts suggesting temperatures could again approach 45 degrees Celsius as hot desert winds are anticipated to reappear in northern India.

Meteorologists have also pointed out the likelihood of isolated thunderstorms and brief rain showers in the evenings and early mornings during the upcoming days. However, these occurrences are not expected to create a lasting impact on daytime temperatures.

Experts are hopeful that expected pre-monsoon activity in early June will provide more enduring relief from this ongoing heatwave. Meanwhile, residents are advised to stay well-hydrated, avoid direct sun during peak hours, and heed official weather alerts.