Thousands throng Red Fort to hear PM's speech

Thousands of people braved the sultry weather prevailing in the city today and thronged the Red Fort to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the occasion of 69th Independence Day.
However, as soon as the Prime Minister left the venue after delivering his speech, heavy rains lashed the areas around the historic fort.
"The minimum temperature recorded at 8.30 AM was 28.5 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal. The humidity was 83 per cent," a MeT official said.
People were seen fanning themselves with information leaflets to beat the humidity but the sultry weather failed to dampen their enthusiasm as they kept cheering and clapping jubilantly during the PM's speech.

According to police, about 40,000 people attended the function. There were seating arrangements for 22,000 people, including 8,000 for VVIPs and VIPs, 4,000 for school children and 10,000 for the general public.
The weatherman has predicted more rains in the later part of the day and the mercury is expected to settle at 38.5 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal.