Delhi weather alert: Rain forecast as BRICS Summit begins on September 12

New Delhi is set for a wet start to the BRICS Summit, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting rain in parts of the capital on September 12 and 13, when India hosts the high-level meeting.

The weather could remain unsettled through the summit weekend. The IMD has predicted a generally cloudy sky with light rain on Friday, followed by generally cloudy conditions and moderate rain on Saturday. Light rain is also expected on Sunday.

The forecast comes as Delhi continues to record temperatures above the seasonal average. On Thursday, the capital's primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius, which was 3.1 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was 27.2 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees above the seasonal average.

Rain likely to pick up around BRICS Summit dates

According to Skymet's Mahesh Palawat, weather conditions are expected to change as winds over the region shift.

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"The westerly winds are likely to turn easterly," Palawat said, adding that a low-pressure area over southern Odisha is expected to move towards central Madhya Pradesh, increasing rainfall activity over the region.

Delhi could see its first spell of light rain from the evening of September 11. Palawat expects light to moderate rainfall in the capital on September 12 and 13, with isolated spells of moderate rain.

He also said the spell could be among the final phases of this year's monsoon in Delhi. The southwest monsoon may start withdrawing from the capital after September 21.

Delhi temperatures remain above normal

Despite the possibility of rain, temperatures remained higher than usual across several parts of Delhi on Thursday.

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Palam recorded a maximum of 34.9 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal, while Lodi Road recorded 36.3 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature at Ridge was 35.5 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees above normal, while Aya Nagar recorded 36 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees above normal.

Night temperatures also varied across the city. Palam recorded a minimum of 24.6 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degrees below normal. Lodi Road stood at 26.1 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal, while Ridge recorded 23.2 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees below normal. Aya Nagar recorded a minimum of 25.3 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degrees above normal.

No rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, Palam, Lodi Road, Ridge or Aya Nagar during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Thursday. The stations also recorded no rain between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.

Delhi air quality remains 'moderate'

Delhi's air quality was in the moderate category on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 134, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.

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Under the CPCB classification, an AQI of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe.

With PTI inputs