Delhi-NCR experienced a sharp weather change after strong winds, light rain and isolated hail affected several areas late on Saturday night, bringing down temperatures and improving the region’s air quality. The India Meteorological Department has forecast another spell of cloudy weather and possible light rain around October 29 and 30.
Rainfall was recorded at several monitoring stations after midnight. Safdarjung received 4.4 mm, Lodhi Road recorded 5.8 mm and Najafgarh received 3.5 mm, according to the report. The weather activity was followed by a noticeable fall in temperatures across the capital on Sunday.
At the Safdarjung observatory, Delhi’s maximum temperature was recorded at 31.1 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal and 1.8 degrees lower than the previous day. The minimum temperature stood at 17 degrees Celsius, which was 0.2 degrees below normal and 1.3 degrees lower than the previous day.
The rain also coincided with an improvement in Delhi’s air quality. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded the city’s air quality index at 153, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Under the CPCB classification, an AQI between 101 and 200 is considered moderate, while readings from 201 to 300 fall in the poor category.
The improvement comes as Delhi and neighbouring districts prepare to intensify measures aimed at reducing vehicle-related pollution across the National Capital Region. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa discussed the measures with senior traffic and police officials from neighbouring districts, according to the report.
The plan includes closer coordination between agencies to improve traffic management and reduce congestion on major routes. Authorities also intend to strengthen enforcement of pollution-under-control certificate requirements and take immediate action against vehicles visibly emitting smoke.
Another measure involves stricter routing of heavy vehicles through the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. The enforcement plan also includes action against vehicles covered by restrictions on older diesel and petrol vehicles, along with compliance with other applicable provisions.
Inter-state buses operating from cities and towns in the region will also be required to follow the prescribed fuel standards. The environment minister said air pollution was not limited to Delhi and should be addressed as an NCR-wide issue, according to the report.
The forecasted rain and cloudy conditions could bring another short-term change in temperatures later in the week. The next expected weather shift is around October 29 and 30, when the department has indicated that light rain may occur in some parts of Delhi-NCR.
