Delhi's wait for relief from sultry weather grows longer

There is no respite in sight for residents of the national capital from sultry weather as only very light rain is expected in a few isolated pockets on Friday, according to the Meteorological (MeT) department.

However, light rain is likely in the city on the weekend owing to a low pressure area over southwest Uttar Pradesh, the MeT said.

Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather, a private forecaster, said a low pressure area has developed over southwest Uttar Pradesh and it may lead to rains in the national capital. Though not much precipitation is predicted, the temperatures may drop by a couple of notches.

Delhi is witnessing an unusually long spell of humid weather and only light rains are predicted in the rest of September, the weather expert said.

On Friday, the city registered a low of 27.8 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels were recorded at 84 per cent.

The city has recorded 378.6 mm rains against the 30-year average of 596.4 mm from June 1, when the monsoon season starts, to September 12 -- a deficiency of 37 per cent.

In September, the national capital recorded 48.6 mm precipitation against the long-term average of 80.3 mm -- a shortfall of 39 per cent.

Palawat said multiple low-pressure areas have been developing over central India one after another, restricting the movement of the monsoon trough towards the northern region.

Kuldeep Srivastava, a senior scientist at India Meteorological Department, said Delhi received less than expected rains in September this year.