Delhi Records Highest December Rainfall in 15 Years, Temperatures Plummet
Delhi witnessed its highest December rainfall in 15 years, as 42.8 mm of rain lashed the city in the past 24 hours, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). This rainfall began early Thursday morning, around 2:30 am, and continued throughout Friday, significantly impacting both weather and daily life. The rain brought down temperatures to 14.6°C, marking a sharp drop from the previous day’s maximum of 24.1°C.
Delhi continues to witness heavy rainfall
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— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 28, 2024
Rainfall Data Across Delhi
The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, reported 30.2 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Friday. Additional rainfall data included Palam (31.4 mm), Lodhi Road (34.2 mm), Ridge (33.4 mm), Delhi University (39 mm), and Pusa (35 mm). These figures placed December 2024’s rainfall as the highest for the month since 2009, far exceeding previous years’ trace levels and making it a significant meteorological event. However, the all-time record remains at 134.4 mm, set in December 1884.
Causes and Challenges
IMD officials attributed the unseasonal rain to an active western disturbance interacting with easterly winds over northwest and central India. While the rain provided much-needed respite from dry winter conditions, it caused waterlogging and traffic disruptions in several areas. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi received 13 complaints related to waterlogging and fallen trees, while the Public Works Department received two similar calls. Notably, the New Delhi Municipal Council reported no such complaints by 7 pm Friday.
Temperature Drop and Air Quality Impact
The rainfall led to a significant dip in temperature, with the mercury dropping to a daytime low of 9.5°C—the lowest maximum temperature recorded in December in the past five years. This surpassed December 2019’s record low of 14.3°C.
Despite the rain, Delhi’s air quality remained concerning. The 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 353, indicating “very poor” levels. Of 35 monitoring stations, Nehru Nagar registered “severe” air quality, while others fell into the “poor” and “very poor” categories.
Outlook for the Weekend
IMD forecasts suggest a generally cloudy sky with intermittent rain on Saturday. Light rain is expected during the morning hours, followed by cloudy conditions throughout the day. Temperatures are anticipated to range between 15°C and 12°C, with southeast winds at 4 kmph in the morning, shifting to northeast winds at 8 kmph by afternoon.
Delhi residents are advised to brace for continued weather fluctuations and to exercise caution due to waterlogged streets and reduced visibility caused by fog and smog.
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