With no rains, mercury rises in Delhi

The mercury and humidity levels rose in the national capital in the absence of rains on Friday.

The weatherman said not much rain is likely in the city in the next two to three days. However, the maximum temperature is going to remain below 36 degrees Celsius due to "cloudy conditions and thundery developments".

The national capital witnessed rains over the last three days that resulted in a drop in temperatures and pollution levels.

On Friday, the Safdarjung Observatory, which provides official figures for the city, recorded a high of 36.4 degrees Celsius, two notches more than normal, and a low of 25 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels oscillated between 53 and 93 per cent.

Overcast skies and light rains are likely Saturday and the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle at 35 and 25 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi's air quality was recorded in the "moderate" category with an air quality index of 145.

Delhi has recorded 93.3 mm rains from July 1 to July 19, which is 18 per cent less than the 30-year average of 114.1 mm, officials said.

Overall, it has received 104.5 mm precipitation against the long-term average of 179.6 mm since June 1, when the monsoon season starts, a deficiency of 42 per cent, according to data by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).