Delhi residents finally heaved a sigh of relief Friday as pre-monsoon showers lashed several parts of the capital and brought down the mercury. The weather office forecast more rains Saturday as the monsoon finally keeps its date with the city.
The first showers in the national capital made many residents, who were sweltering in the bristling heat, come out and enjoy the rain.
Children could be seen frolicking in the showers, jumping in puddles and laughing and roaring with joy, while lovers could be seen huddled under umbrellas while strolling in parks.
India Gate - a favourite place for everyone to gather - was packed with people in the evening as the heady mix of rain and cool air brought much cheer.
Those who wanted to enjoy the weather from inside the house just ventured out to their balconies - sipping hot tea and eating pakoras or samosas.
"Rains mean samosas. Its a family ritual with us to have samosas when it rains," said Anurag Shrivastav, a government employee.
Deepika Gulati, a college student, echoed most of Delhi's population when she said the rain was long-awaited.
"Its been a long wait this year. We had some really harrowing days with no water and power supply. The rain will give us some respite from this heat," Gulati added.
The stormy weather brought the traffic to a standstill in some areas. But no one mind it much.
As it rained, chaiwallahs along the road, with their tiny shelters, became veritable refuges for the commuters looking to escape the rain.
While Friday's rains were pre-monsoon showers, India Meteorological Department scientist S.C. Bhan reassured that "monsoons will arrive by tomorrow".
The pleasant weather is here to stay, as the met office forecast more rains over the weekend.
"Saturday will see cloudy skies and more thundershowers are expected. The maximum and minimum temperature are expected to be around 36 and 26 degrees Celsius," an official at the India Meteorological Department told IANS.
Delhi had been reeling under intense heat as the monsoon, which generally arrives in the capital June 29, missed its date. The scorching heat has forced the summer vacations in Delhi government schools to be extended by a week till July 9. Some private schools also followed suit.
The day's maximum temperature went below 40 degrees to 38.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above average.
The showers brought down the mercury significantly and the day's minimum temperature, measured at 8.30 p.m. was at 25.6 degrees Celsius.
Friday saw 15.6 milimeters of rainfall till 8.30 p.m. and the day's maximum and minimum humidity readings were 69 and 50 percent respectively.
Thursday's maximum temperature was five notches above average at 41.1 degrees Celsius and the minimum was two notches above at 29.5 degrees Celsius.