IANS
 
New Delhi / Shimla, May 3: Heavy rain and hailstorm on Wednesday brought a hugely welcome relief to north India, fried and frazzled for a whole week in searing heat.

The widespread rain that brought a welcome fall in temperature was due to low pressure created over northwest India, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi.

"The upper air circulation due to low pressure areas in Punjab and Rajasthan are the primary reason for this weather condition," said IMD Director S C Bhan.

Light rains and strong breeze in Delhi and Agra Wednesday morning brought down temperatures and cheered people in the capital who had been staying indoors due to the searing heat.

"It was a great respite for me. As I am from Kashmir, I have never been exposed to such scorching heat. Am sure like me many people must be enjoying the weather," said Rahul Silhatiya, a resident of Rohini in northwest Delhi.

"After almost 15 days, we could manage to go out and enjoy ourselves," said Rohit Mohapatra, another city resident.

Foreign tourists in the city of Taj Mahal, who had been avoiding visits to the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, too welcomed the unexpected relief.

In Delhi, the mercury dropped by nearly 8°C on Wednesday — to 32°C from Tuesday's 40.5°C — six notches below normal temperature.

In Shimla, rains and hailstorms were accompanied by regular claps of thunder as the cold returned, forcing many to pull out their woollens.

Rajasthan, which has also been experiencing severe heat wave conditions, is expected to get relief in the next couple of days as the weather office has forecast partly cloudy sky with possibility of a dust storm and a thunderstorm.