New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANS) Heavy rains lashed the Indian capital overnight Monday, making it the wettest day in any November since 1998, the weather department said Tuesday.

The capital received 7.6 mm of rainfall in about 40 minutes, the highest it has got in a day in any month since 1998. Delhi has so far has received 10.4 mm of rainfall this November.

'The capital got 14.4 mm of rainfall in 1998,' an official at the Safdarjung meteorological department told IANS.

The weatherman attributed the rains to strong winds from the southwest of the country.

The capital recorded a maximum of 27.1 degrees Celsius, a notch below average. The minimum weather settled at 16.6 degrees Celsius, six degrees above average.

'The maximum and minimum temperature are likely to drop in the coming days. Skies will remain cloudy and there is a possibility of fog Wednesday morning,' the official said.