The Indian national capital Delhi was lashed by showers throughout Friday (Dec 27), recording 41.2 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours up to 8:30 am on Saturday (Dec 28). This is the highest single-day December rainfall in the past 101 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

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For the whole month of December, this is the highest rainfall witnessed in the last 15 years.

Amid severe cold conditions, the mercury dipped down to 14.6 degrees Celsius in the city, according to IMD.

The total monthly average rainfall for December stands at 42.8 mm, the highest rainfall for December in the last 15 years, according to IMD data. “The cumulative 24-hour rainfall ending at 8:30 am today is the second-highest since 1901 at Safdarjung. December's monthly rainfall is now the fifth-highest, said an IMD official. 

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Read More: India: Fog patches, cold waves and 'severe AQI'; IMD issues orange alert for rain in northern part of country

Dip in temperature

The minimum temperature in Delhi settled at 12.7 degrees Celsius. A yellow alert has been declared by the weather department for Saturday and Sunday (Dec 29). 

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The IMD expects cloudy skies with intermittent showers for Saturday (Dec 28) accompanied by fog during the evening. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 15°C, while the minimum could be around 12°C. Visibility is expected to drop, with light to moderate fog wrapping the city and surrounding areas. 

Highest rainfall seen in December: Delhi weather updates


> The primary weather station for the national capital, the Safdarjung Observatory, recorded 30.2 mm of showers between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Friday. 

> Palam recorded 31.4 mm, Lodhi Road 34.2 mm, Ridge 33.4 mm, Delhi University 39 mm, and Pusa 35 mm.

Read More: India: IMD issues cold wave and dense fog alerts for several northern states

> Nine waterlogging complaints among which four were related to fallen trees as reported by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

> One complaint each of waterlogging and tree collapse was raised by The Public Works Department (PWD)

AQI level improves

 
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the “moderate” category, measuring 164 on Friday morning, a major decline from the hazardous 300+ levels recorded earlier this week

(With inputs from agencies)