The Hindu : New Delhi News : May this year is four times rainier

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

May this year is four times rainier

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: May this year has been nearly four times rainier than it normally is.

With sudden showers in the evening becoming almost a daily routine, the city has also witnessed some very pleasant weather the month.

"There has been more than the usual amount of rainfall this May. While the usual amount of rain for the month is 18 mm, Delhi has already had 70 mm. But the rainfall in May is highly variable. Some years we get no rain but in others, as in 2002 when the city saw 129 mm of precipitation, there is plenty," asserts Indian Meteorological Department director B.P. Yadav.

Bringing relief from the searing heat during the day, Monday afternoon stuck to the daily pattern with the sky opening up briefly in some parts of the Capital.

"The mean maximum temperature this May has been 1.2 degree Celsius lower than normal. But the average minimum temperature for the month, which is 26 degrees, has been no different from the usual. This May, however, has not been the coolest so far. In the past 1997, 1992 and 1990 have been much cooler," said Mr. Yadav.

Cloudy skies and strong gusts of wind have certainly kept up the spirits of the city by making evenings bearable. And the Capital has so far experienced nine days of thundershowers or dust storm. There have also been six squalls and hailstorms on two occasions.

"Delhi had recorded the hottest day ever in 1944 in May when the temperature reached 47 degrees C. But this time, the temperature has only gone up to 42 degrees," said Mr. Yadav.

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