New Delhi, March 20 -- Scattered showers and strong winds cooled the capital on Thursday, with the maximum temperature dipping below 30degC for the first time in nearly a month to 26.8degC, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This was 4.7 degrees below normal and the lowest maximum in Delhi since February 24, when it was 29.9degC.

On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 33.6degC, marking a 6.8-degree drop over 24 hours, IMD data showed.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday, forecasting more rain and a further dip in the mercury to around 23-25degC.

"Generally cloudy skies, with a spell of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 km...