Light rainfall brings relief to Delhi-NCR, lowers temperature and improves air quality
Delhi-NCR woke up to light rainfall on Tuesday morning, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting showers to continue throughout the day.
The rain, caused by a fresh western disturbance affecting the region, has provided slight relief from pollution. According to the IMD, rainfall is expected to subside by Wednesday, February 5, with fog levels likely to rise in Delhi. While dense fog persists in some isolated areas, the weather department has also forecast the possibility of a thunderstorm on Tuesday.
The city recorded a minimum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius, which the IMD classifies as above normal for February. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 21 degrees Celsius.
The rain has led to some improvement in Delhi’s air quality, though pollution levels remain in the ‘Poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) data at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 265 in Chandni Chowk, 232 at ITO, 132 on Lodhi Road, and 228 on Sri Aurobindo Marg. The overall AQI is expected to improve further after the rainfall.
In Haryana, the AQI in Gurugram was recorded at 302 in the ‘Very poor’ category, while Faridabad recorded an AQI of 217 in the ‘Poor’ category.
Last week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had invoked Stage 3 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the AQI exceeded 350, prompting stricter pollution control measures in the city.
Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted a temporary increase in minimum temperatures across northwest India over the next two days, followed by a gradual dip of 2-3 degrees in the subsequent three days.
Weather conditions are expected to remain dynamic as another western disturbance is set to impact northern India from February 8, bringing fresh fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric conditions.
In addition to Delhi, the IMD has forecast rainfall across the western Himalayan region and several parts of northwest India until February 5.
The changing weather patterns continue to shape conditions in the northern belt, keeping residents alert for further showers and temperature variations in the coming days.
