In a weather update for the 80th Independence Day morning, the IMD foresees nothing more than a very light drizzle at the Red Fort, but cautions that the heat will be hard to escape due to stubborn humidity. As the rain eases to light spells, there is some concern for crowd management and general comfort at the celebrations.
What to expect at Red Fort on Independence Day
The prime hours between 6 am and 7 am should pass with minimal disruption under cloudy skies, the IMD says. There is a 50 per cent chance of a very light spell of 2-4 mm materialising sometime from 7 am to 9 am.
Temperatures in the vicinity of the venue should be manageable; one can anticipate a low of 24-26 degrees Celsius and a high in the 31-33 range. A look at Delhi as of 5.30 am Saturday showed generally overcast conditions and calm winds with no rain to report in the early hours.
Later on, a second short-lived drizzle is on the cards. The IMD puts the odds at 60 per cent for another very light 3 mm or so from noon into the evening. It would be wise to plan for these wet intervals instead of sustained rain.
Citywide outlook: Cloudy skies, lighter rain, steady temperatures
As monsoon activity makes inroads, the IMD is calling for cloudy skies and anything from light to moderate rain across Delhi-NCR. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and the national capital are all in the forecast for widespread rain over the next couple of days, with Delhi set for similar conditions through to August 20.
For the time being though, the department says the overall intensity in the city will be on the milder side. Maximum temperatures are not expected to put in a significant appearance over the next week, nor is the rainfall likely to be anything other than light to very light.
Why the rain pattern is shifting
IMD attributes the present conditions to a depression in Jharkhand and the adjoining parts of Gangetic West Bengal. The system is heading west-north-west and should degrade into a well-marked low-pressure area in the coming 24 hours.
It is still enough to keep several regions, including North India, in the wet. In the capital however, the prevailing trend will be for intermittent and lighter showers even as the system loses strength.
Heat discomfort rises despite cloud cover
The absence of rain at key times has led to a sharp increase in both humidity and temperature in Delhi over the last two days. The ‘feels like’ figure has jumped from 21 to 45 degrees Celsius.
Case in point: at 2.30pm on Saturday the actual temperature was 34.4 degrees but the heat index read 45.1. By 5.30pm that had crept up to 46.1, the actual remaining at 34.4.
The day’s maximum of 34.8 degrees was a touch above normal, up from 30.8 the day before. The minimum was 26, a little below the 27.8 recorded previously. Sunday’s high is likely to be in the 32-34 degree bracket.
Air quality is not an added worry. With an AQI of 93, down from 98 yesterday, it remains in the satisfactory zone.
Plan your morning: Practical steps for attendees and commuters
An early start to the Red Fort is advisable. The IMD points out that the risk is one of comfort from the humidity, not deluges. Flexibility is called for in the noon-to-evening period when a light shower may come through.
Some quick measures for a smoother go of it:
– Have a compact umbrella or raincoat on hand
– Put electronics in waterproof cases
– Make sure to hydrate before you are in a queue
– Opt for shade and something breathable to wear
– Allow for extra time travelling near the Fort
– Be ready for cloudy skies and the odd light rain
Bottom line
Preparedness and staying hydrated will be more important than good rain gear. The IMD does not foresee any heavy rain, only the occasional very light shower around the ceremony and later on. With the rain easing and temperatures holding steady, the real issue is going to be the heat and humidity.
