New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) After a long spell of heat and humidity, Tuesday’s rain brought down the temperatures bringing respite to the capital’s residents.
Heavy showers lashed many parts of the city at around noon after a relatively bright start to the day, taking many people unawares.

Rajiv Mehrotra, a banker for instance said: “When I boarded the metro in Kashmere Gate, it was sunny but by the time I got out from the Rajiv Chowk metro station in Connaught Place, it was pouring! Many other commuters like me were surprised, but it was nevertheless a relief”.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), an upper air cyclonic circulation over the national capital and its neighbourhood brought the rainfall.

“It will be partly cloudy skies, with slight to heavy showers tomorrow. This will bring down the maximum and minimum temperature,” an official at the Safdarjung met office told IANS.

Since there will be a solar eclipse Wednesday- a phenomenon many are eagerly awaiting- the cloud cover may play spoil sport.

The minimum temperature in the capital Tuesday settled at 32.6 degrees Celsius, four degree above average. The maximum was two notches below the average, at 37 degree Celsius.

The maximum and minimum temperature forecast for Wednesday are 36 and 29 degree Celsius.

The monsoon has been delayed by several days in northern India, increasing the possibility of drought in the food-basket states of Punjab and Haryana.

IMD has forecast a poor monsoon over Delhi and neighbouring states this time with the possibility of scant rainfall.