Delhi weather: Rain, thunderstorm and dust storm likely as IMD issues yellow alert till May 3

NEW DELHI: Light rain, thunderstorms, and dust storms are expected in Delhi over the next three days as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues a yellow alert. Strong surface winds reaching up to 50 kmph are also forecast, likely bringing relief from the ongoing heat.
On Wednesday, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung—the city's base weather station—rose slightly to 38.1 degrees Celsius, still a notch below normal, compared to 37.5 degrees Celsius, a day earlier.

The minimum was 25.8 degrees Celsius, two degrees above average, compared to 24.5 degrees Celsius a day earlier. Humidity levels ranged between 36% and 61%, with light, variable winds up to 4 kmph.
The IMD predicts a further drop in temperatures, thanks to an incoming western disturbance expected to affect the western Himalayan region from May 2. "Maximum temperatures fell by about five degrees Celsius over the past 72 hours. A further decline of 2-3°C is likely in the next three days," the IMD said.
The yellow alert covers May 1 to 3, with Thursday expected to see partly cloudy skies and very light rain or drizzle. "There are chances of thunderstorms and dust storms with surface winds of 30-40 kmph, gusting up to 50 kmph in the afternoon and evening," an IMD official said.
On Thursday, the maximum temperature is expected to hover between 36 and 38°C and dip further to 35 and 37°C by Friday.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality improved slightly. The average air quality index (AQI) stood at 198 on Wednesday—classified as moderate—down from 209 a day earlier.
According to the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS), air quality is expected to remain in the moderate category through May 3. "The outlook for the following six days suggests AQI may vary between moderate and poor," the EWS stated.