New Delhi, July 11: Sweltering under a humid spell, Delhiites may get some relief on Thursday as the Met department has predicted moderate rain in next 24 hours.

After remaining mostly cloudy throughout Wednesday, the national capital was expected to receive some rainfall or light drizzles by late evening but no showers took place, according to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

"There was minuscule drizzle in evening which could not be measured. But there are bright chances of a moderate rain across the city in the next 24 hours," an IMD official said.

According to the department, Wednesday's maximum temperature was recorded at 36.7 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average while the minimum settled at 29.6 degrees, two notches above the season's average. The humidity was 62 per cent.

According to private weather forecasting agency Skymet, Delhi and its adjoining regions have been witnessing mostly dry and hot weather conditions.

"Delhi remains rain deficient by 33 per cent as on July 10. Now, we expect Monsoon rains to begin over Delhi and NCR and these intermittent showers of light intensity would continue till July 15 or 16.

"In fact, there are possibilities of sporadic moderate showers over the national capital as well," it added.

Tuesday's maximum settled at 40.6 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season's average while the minimum was recorded at 29.2 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season's average.



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New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.

Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.

"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.

"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country

"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.

"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.

Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.

"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.

"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.