Rains in Delhi and the national capital region brought much needed relief from heat on Monday afternoon but caused huge waterlogging on roads, crippling traffic movement.
Rains brought down the mercury in Delhi by two degrees as the maximum temperature on Monday settled at 34.4 degree Celsius, average for the season.
The minimum temperature of the day was recorded at 29 degrees Celsius, two degrees above the average.
Weather experts forecast more rains in the region in next two days.
"Tuesday may see moderate to heavy rains at some places and heavy to very heavy rains at most places of Delhi," an official from India Meteorological Department (IMD) told IANS.
According to the IMD, between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Monday, Delhi received an average 29.6 mm rainfall with Lodhi Road receiving the highest rainfall at 42.6 mm.
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The rainfall at the Ridge area was recorded at 30.0 mm, at Palam, it was 15.3 mm and at Aya Nagar, it was 10.2 mm.
"Due to the rain on Monday that is expected to continue tomorrow (Tuesday), the mercury would fall," said an IMD official.
IMD said that so far, since the monsoon had arrived in the capital on July 2, Delhi has received overall 385.3 mm rainfall - a 12 per cent surplus.
According to the experts, the rainfall is due to the cumulative effect of Western Disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir, excess of monsoon trough passing through Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, and cyclonic circulation over central Uttar Pradesh.
"For next two days, Delhi is set to see good rainfall. This will also bring down the maximum temperature mildly, bringing some respite from the heat," said Mahesh Palawat, director of private weather forecaster Skymet.
Heavy rains also led to waterlogging at several areas creating traffic snarls. Despite it being a holiday on the account of Raksha Bandhan, Monday saw a good number of vehicles come out on roads, leading to traffic congestion.
"There was huge traffic jam on Noida-Greater Noida expressway towards DND flyover and Sarita Vihar flyover following heavy rains. I was stuck in the jam for over half an hour as I had to reach at my sister's place in south Delhi," Amar Kushwaha, a bank professional, told IANS.
"Rains in Delhi and festival traffic derailing all plans. We are still grateful for the monsoon showers," Preet Dhupar, a finance professional tweeted.
Another Twitter user Atmaram N.S. Nandkarni said: "Rains in Delhi great respite from the sweltering heat showers are welcome always they bring coolness, freshness, (and) happiness."
Delhi Traffic control room received over 40 calls pertaining to waterlogging problems. The places which witnessed waterlogging include Dhaula Kuan, Nizamuddin-Akshardham road, Minto Road, near Apollo hospital, Chirag Delhi, Nehru Bazar, Raja Garden Chowk, Azad Market Chowk, Modi Mill, Britania Chowk and more.
On Monday, the humidity oscillated between 95 and 76 per cent.
Sunday's maximum temperature was 36.1 degree Celsius, two notches above the season's average while the minimum temperature was recorded at 28.8 degrees, two notches above the season's average.
--IANS
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