Overnight Rain Lashes Delhi: AQI Plummets as Winter Knocks
Heavy overnight rain in Delhi has slashed AQI levels and dropped temperatures, signaling an early winter. Check the IMD forecast for Delhi-NCR.
Delhi woke up to a refreshing change in atmosphere on Friday after overnight rain lashed the city, bringing a sudden chill to the air and signaling the early arrival of winter. The incessant downpours, which turned the streets of the National Capital into rain-slicked corridors, have provided a much-needed respite from the oppressive heat and smog.
City Streets Drenched Under Dark Skies
Visuals from across the city captured the intensity of the weather shift. Areas including the Jamia Millia Islamia neighborhood and the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station witnessed steady rainfall under a canopy of dark clouds. This sudden weather event has triggered a noticeable dip in mercury levels, setting the stage for the winter season to firmly settle over Delhi-NCR.
A Breath of Fresh Air: AQI Drops
Beyond the temperature drop, the rain has acted as a natural cleanser for the city's polluted air. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) saw a significant improvement. After hovering above 200 in the 'Poor' category on Wednesday and Thursday, the AQI plummeted to 133, falling into the 'Moderate' category by 4 am on Friday.
IMD Forecast: What to Expect Next
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a yellow alert for Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). The forecast indicates the following:
- Immediate Outlook: Spells of rain and thunderstorms were predicted for the 24 to 48 hours following October 29.
- Regional Impact: Widespread activity is expected across Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad, with cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall accompanied by lightning. Some pockets may experience heavy rain during the night.
- Transition: By October 31, skies are expected to become partly cloudy. By November 1 and 2, the region will likely transition to clear skies and stable, fair weather.
Heavy Rain and Flood Alerts Across India
While Delhi cools down, other parts of the country are grappling with intense precipitation driven by remnant cyclonic circulation.
Central and Eastern India
Heavy to very heavy downpours are expected to lash Jharkhand, Sikkim, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and East Uttar Pradesh. North Bihar is also on alert for isolated extremely heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood Risks
The IMD has flagged a low-to-moderate risk of flash floods until October 30 in several vulnerable watersheds, including:
- Chhattisgarh: Korba, Surguja, and Balrampur.
- Odisha: Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Sambalpur.
- Jharkhand: Palamu and Simdega.
- Bihar: Rohtas, Bhojpur, and East and West Champaran.
- East Uttar Pradesh: Ghazipur, Ballia, and Sonbhadra.
Southern Peninsular States
Weather activity is expected to escalate in the south from early November as a system in the Bay of Bengal approaches. Between November 2 and November 4, widespread rainfall is predicted for Kerala, Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and both Coastal and South Interior Karnataka.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are specifically on alert for isolated very heavy rain on November 2–3, with Telangana expecting thundersqualls and strong winds reaching up to 60 kmph.