New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) A heavy downpour took the Delhiites by surprise Wednesday afternoon and brought the much-needed relief from the hot and humid weather.

The rains lashed many areas in north, central and south Delhi and the weather office predicted thundery development later in the day.

The minimum temperature was recorded three notches above the normal at 27.7 degrees Celsius. The humidity level remained high at 85 percent.

'Skies will remain partly cloudy with thundery development. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius,' said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a foreacst.

There was no rain in Delhi since Saturday.

The city received 455.1 mm of rain in the month of August alone -- almost 101 percent above the average -- making it the wettest month in the past 10 years.

The capital has so far received 698.6 mm of rainfall, 36 percent above the average.