IMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms in Delhi; heavy rainfall alert issued for Kerala

New Delhi: Delhi is likely to witness a spell of rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds on Thursday and Friday, bringing relief from a slight rise in temperatures recorded across the national capital on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall in Kerala over the coming days, issuing an orange alert for four districts on Thursday.

According to the IMD, Delhi is expected to experience generally cloudy skies, with light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph.

"Generally, cloudy skies are expected to persist on Thursday. A spell of very light to light rain at many places, with moderate rain at isolated places, is possible, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of speed 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph during the afternoon to evening," an IMD official said.

The weather department also indicated that another spell of very light to light rainfall could occur across several parts of the city during the night.

The expected rainfall is likely to bring down temperatures, with the maximum forecast to settle between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The minimum temperature is expected to range between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius.

Delhi recorded a marginal increase in both daytime and nighttime temperatures on Wednesday.

At Safdarjung, the city's representative weather station, the minimum temperature stood at 22.4 degrees Celsius, which was 2.8 degrees above normal and 1.2 degrees higher than Tuesday.

The maximum temperature reached 33.3 degrees Celsius, marginally above the seasonal average and 0.8 degrees higher than the previous day.

Palam recorded a minimum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius, an increase of 1.8 degrees from Tuesday. The maximum temperature was 32 degrees Celsius, which was 1.4 degrees below normal but 0.6 degrees higher than the previous day.

At Lodhi Road, the minimum temperature was 23.2 degrees Celsius, while the maximum reached 33 degrees Celsius, marking an increase of 1.2 degrees from Tuesday.

The Ridge weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 21.1 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 31.6 degrees Celsius, with the daytime temperature declining marginally by 0.2 degrees.

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate category, although pollution levels increased compared with the previous day.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 181 at 4 pm on Wednesday, compared with 158 at the same time on Tuesday.

Under CPCB classifications, an AQI between 101 and 200 falls in the moderate category, while readings between 201 and 300 are considered poor. An AQI of 301 to 400 is classified as very poor, and levels between 401 and 500 are categorised as severe.

Kerala on orange alert as IMD warns of heavy rain until October 18

Kerala is also bracing for another spell of heavy rainfall, with the IMD issuing an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts on Thursday, October 15.

Eight other districts have been placed under a yellow alert as the weather department warned of widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across the state.

An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging from 11 cm to 20 cm, while a yellow alert warns of heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations across Kerala between October 15 and 18, with atmospheric conditions remaining favourable for intense showers.

According to the weather department, a cyclonic circulation is present over central Kerala and adjoining regions at an altitude of approximately 4.5 km above sea level.

Another cyclonic circulation has been identified over Kanyakumari and neighbouring areas at an altitude of around 1.5 km above sea level.

These weather systems are expected to influence rainfall activity across southern India over the next few days.

The IMD has also indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to withdraw from the remaining parts of the country on Thursday, coinciding with the expected onset of the northeast monsoon over southern India.

The transition between the two monsoon systems is expected to influence weather conditions across the region.

Apart from heavy rainfall, the IMD has warned of thunderstorms and strong winds in several parts of Kerala.

Thunderstorms accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph are likely at isolated places on October 17 and 18. Similar conditions were also forecast for October 14.

Stronger winds, with speeds reaching 40–50 kmph, are expected at isolated locations on October 15 and 16.

The rainfall alerts come as Kerala prepares for changing weather conditions associated with the transition from the southwest to the northeast monsoon.