What led to Delhi's wettest day in December in a century? IMD records 41.2 mm rainfall in 24 hours

Delhi saw its wettest December in 15 years and the 24 hours till 8.30 am on Saturday was the highest single-day rainfall in the month of December in 101 years, according to the weatherman.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi recorded 41.2 mm rain in the 24 hours till 8.30 am on December 28. The highest-ever rainfall on a single day in 12th month of the year was December 3, 1923 at 75.7 mm.

This was the fifth highest monthly rain since 1901. The all-time highest rainfall in December was recorded in 1884 at 134.4 mm. 

Compared to this year, 2023 saw only trace amounts of rain while 2022 had no rain in December. In 2021, 9.6 mm rain was recorded while 2020 saw 1.6 mm and 2019 saw 33.9 mm respectively.

What caused the heavy rainfall?

The weatherman said the rain was caused by a strong western disturbance interacting with easterly winds.

Neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan also saw moderate to heavy rainfall. Jammu and Kashmir also witnessed snowfall and rainfall on Saturday.

On Saturday, sky in Delhi was overcast with the Met department predicting light to moderate rain. A iyellow alert has been issued for Delhi on Saturday.

The air quality index in Delhi has improved to 'moderate' on Saturday with the AQI recorded at 152 at 9 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.