Strong winds, rains in Delhi bring relief to people

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Sudden strong winds, rain, thunder and lightning brought relief from the heat to people in the national capital Thursday but also hit the functioning of traffic lights leading to jams in several areas. Friday is forecast to be clear.

Traffic jams were reported at Civil Lines in north Delhi, Ashram in south Delhi, Ghazipur in east Delhi and Pitampura in west Delhi. Due to the storm, trees were also uprooted in several areas.

Though the rain was unexpected, it was welcomed by people as it came a great respite from the otherwise hot day.

"Rains at this time are always welcome," Reshma Mahajan, who was returning from work when the showers came, told IANS.

The maximum temperature was recorded a notch above average at 39.5 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature settled at 25.2 degrees Celsius, average for the season.

The Met office has however forecasts a clear Friday.

The maximum and minimum temperature are likely to hover at around 40 and 26 degrees Celsius respectively.

Wednesday was hot with a maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was 24.2 degrees Celsius.