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Delhi's August Deluge: Record Rain, High Temps, Poor Air Quality
29 Aug
Summary
- August rainfall in Delhi significantly exceeded the seasonal average by 29 percent.
- Despite heavy showers, average maximum temperatures were the highest in two years.
- The city's average air quality index for August reached a three-year high.
August in Delhi was characterized by unusual weather patterns, with rainfall substantially exceeding the seasonal average. Safdarjung station recorded a surplus of 147.2 mm, representing a 29 percent increase over the long-period average. This month also saw the wettest first week of August in 15 years and one of the heaviest single-day rainfall spells in two years.
Despite the abundant rainfall, temperatures remained elevated. The average maximum temperature at Safdarjung until August 29 was the highest in two years, at 34.1 degrees Celsius. Similarly, the average minimum temperature matched the previous year's high, reaching 26.8 degrees Celsius.
The air quality presented a mixed scenario. Delhi's average air quality index for August stood at 92, the highest in three years. While most days were in the satisfactory category, nine days experienced moderate air quality, and the maximum AQI reached 129.
