Delhi logs day's high at 38.6 deg C; IMD says widespread rain likely from July 19

New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) Delhi experienced a warm day on Tuesday with the maximum temperature settling at 38.6 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches above normal, while the heat index or "feels-like" temperature touched 45.8 degrees Celsius in the evening hours, according to the IMD. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over Delhi and adjoining areas between July 14 and July 18. More widespread rainfall activity is expected over Delhi and neighbouring northwestern states on July 19 and 20. "While light, isolated showers may occur over the next few days, no major spell of rainfall is expected in the city before July 19," an IMD official said. According to station-wise data, Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches above normal. Lodhi Road logged 38 degrees Celsius, 4 notches above normal, followed by Ayanagar at 38.5 degrees Celsius, 2.5 notches above normal, Palam at 38.4 degrees Celsius, 2.3 notches above normal, and the Ridge at 38 degrees Celsius, 2.4 notches above normal. The minimum temperature settled at 28.4 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, 1.1 notches above normal. Ayanagar recorded a minimum of 28.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 notches above normal, while Lodhi Road recorded 28.2 degrees Celsius, 2.2 notches above normal. Palam registered a minimum of 26.8 degrees Celsius, 0.4 notch below normal, and the Ridge recorded 24.2 degrees Celsius, 2.3 notches below normal. No rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road and Ayanagar between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. The Ridge observatory recorded a cumulative rainfall of 0.2 mm till 8.30 am. The IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Wednesday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to settle around 37 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality improved to the ‘moderate’ category on Tuesday after remaining in the ‘poor’ category on the previous two days. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 175 at 4 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. PTI SGV PRK