Mercury to rise in Delhi from Thursday

New Delhi : Trace of rains on Wednesday brought some respite from the heat in the national capital and surrounding areas. Weather analysts, however, said the respite was short-lived as the mercury will rise again from Thursday.

Delhi on Wednesday saw a over two degree drop in the mercury, with the maximum temperature recorded at 33.4 degrees Celsius, three notches below the season's average. 

The minimum temperature, however, increased by two degrees, at 23.6 degrees -- three notches above the season's average.

Thursday may see a cloudy sky and thunder towards morning. However, the weather is likely to clear up towards afternoon, according to analysts. 

"There was a trace of rain in Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road and Ridge area, which was too low to be measured," an official at India Meteorological Department (IMD) told IANS.

The mercury may rise to 38 degrees over the next two to three days and respite is likely only after April 16-17.

"Delhi will see above normal temperature. The respite from April 9-11 was for a short period. There was a western disturbance and cyclonic circulation over Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh which has started to clear," Mahesh Palawat, Director of private weather forecast agency Skymet, told IANS.

"There are no chances of rain from Thursday. Temperature will rise over the week," he added.

According to IMD, the mercury in Delhi may rise to 40 degrees Celsius by Monday, April 16. The humidity on Wednesday oscillated between 54 and 66 per cent. 

Due to trace of rains and moderate winds, Delhi saw improvement in its overall air quality with Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday placed at 141 ranking 'moderate', as compared to 230 or 'poor' on Tuesday.