The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a “red alert” for the Delhi-NCR region late Saturday evening, warning of severe thunderstorms and rainfall.

“A thunderstorm cell is approaching Delhi and adjoining areas from the west/northwest,” the IMD said. “Under its influence, severe thunderstorm/dust raising wind activity accompanied by frequent lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 40-60 km/h or more) is likely to affect parts of the city in the next 1–2 hours.” 

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The IMD advised people to stay indoors and not take shelter under trees. “Residents are advised to take necessary precautions. Avoid open fields, stay indoors, and do not take shelter under trees,” an advisory from the weather office said.

The relative humidity was recorded at 49 per cent at 5.30 pm. The air quality remained in the “moderate” category at 6 pm on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 141, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

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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’.

Monsoon advanced into Maharashtra, Karnataka

As per the IMD, the Monsoon has also advanced into Maharashtra, some parts of Karnataka, the remaining parts of the Maldives and the Comorin area, many parts of Tamil Nadu, the remaining parts of the southwest and east-central Bay of Bengal, some parts of the west-central and north Bay of Bengal, and some parts of Mizoram on Saturday.

As per IMD, the Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala on May 24, eight days earlier than its normal onset date of June 1.

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“Conditions are favourable for further advance of the Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of the central Arabian Sea, the entire Goa, some parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of Karnataka, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some more partss of west-central and North Bay of Bengal, some more parts of Northeastern states and some parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next 2-3 days,” the India Meteorological Department added in a post on social media platform X.