New Delhi: Delhi-NCR witnessed late-night rain, thunderstorms and strong winds on Saturday, October 24, bringing cooler conditions to the national capital and neighbouring cities. Showers were reported in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad, while hail was reported in parts of Delhi and Noida.
Delhi recorded a temperature of 18°C at the Safdarjung weather station early on Sunday, October 25, with humidity at 98 per cent and misty conditions around 5:30 am.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast mainly clear to partly cloudy skies, with maximum temperatures around 31°C to 33°C and minimum temperatures between 16°C and 18°C. Winds are expected to strengthen during the afternoon.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 181 around 5 am on Sunday, improving from 191 on Saturday and 230 on Friday.
However, several monitoring stations continued to record poor air quality. Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 276, Punjabi Bagh 251, Bawana 246, Narela 244 and Rohini 239.
The overnight rain and gusty winds have raised hopes of temporary relief from pollution.
However, the Air Quality Early Warning System forecast that Delhi’s air quality could remain in the poor category from October 25 to 27, with conditions potentially fluctuating between poor and moderate over the following six days.
The IMD also forecast rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds in parts of southern and eastern India, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.
