New Delhi, 28 September (H.S.): Delhi-NCR experienced pleasant weather on Sunday as cloudy skies and cool winds brought temperatures below normal, with the minimum temperature dropping to 21°C, the lowest recorded in September since 2001.

The minimum temperature fell by 2.2 degrees Celsius from the previous day and was 2.9 degrees below normal for this time of the year. The maximum temperature also declined by 1.4 degrees Celsius to 30.6°C, which was 3.7 degrees below normal, according to weather department data.

The 21°C minimum temperature recorded on September 27 was the second-lowest September minimum in Delhi in the past 25 years. The lowest during this period was 20.1°C recorded in 2001. A minimum temperature of 20.8°C was recorded on September 6, 2008, while the reading fell to 21.1°C on September 19, 2024.

The recent rainfall also brought an improvement in Delhi's air quality. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index stood at 53 at 4 pm on Sunday, placing it in the 'satisfactory' category, compared with 72 on Saturday.

No rainfall was recorded in Delhi-NCR between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Sunday. However, rainfall recorded during the preceding 24 hours till 8.30 am included 7 mm at Mayur Vihar, 6.8 mm at the Ridge, 5.2 mm at Lodhi Road, 4.9 mm at Safdarjung, 4.5 mm at Rajghat, 4 mm each at Ayanagar and Pusa, and 3.7 mm at Palam.

Noida recorded 26.5 mm rainfall during the period, while Ghaziabad and Faridabad received 4.5 mm each.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies in Delhi on Monday, with sunshine expected during the day. The maximum temperature is likely to remain between 31°C and 33°C, while the minimum is expected to be between 21°C and 23°C.

North-westerly winds at 5-10 kmph are likely, with dry conditions expected through the week. Nights are likely to remain relatively cooler.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar