Overnight rain brought a sharp change in Delhi-NCR’s weather, with cooler conditions, waterlogged roads in several areas and a temporary improvement in air quality as the region entered a further spell of unsettled weather. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) fell to 133, in the ‘moderate’ category, at 4am on Friday, October 30, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The capital’s AQI had remained above 200, in the ‘poor’ category, on Wednesday and Thursday. The improvement followed widespread overnight rain that covered Delhi and adjoining parts of the National Capital Region, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
Visuals from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station and the Jamia Millia Islamia area showed rain-soaked roads and continuing showers as dark clouds covered the city late on Thursday night. The rainfall also brought a noticeable nip in the air, signalling an early shift towards winter-like conditions in the capital.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a yellow alert for Delhi and neighbouring NCR districts on October 29, forecasting rain and thunderstorms over the following 24 to 48 hours. The alert covered a period when the region was already experiencing poor air quality, making the weather change relevant to both outdoor movement and pollution conditions.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in New Delhi, widespread weather activity was expected across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad. The forecast indicated generally cloudy skies, with one or two spells of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in several areas. Isolated locations could receive heavy rainfall during the night.
The wet spell was expected to continue on October 30, with very light to light rain at several places and moderate showers during the morning and forenoon hours. Such conditions could affect road movement and visibility, although the supplied report did not provide details of traffic restrictions, flooding or transport disruptions.
The change in AQI is linked in the report to the rainfall, which can temporarily reduce airborne pollution by washing particles from the atmosphere. However, the CPCB reading is a measurement for the stated time and does not establish how long the improvement will last. The report also does not provide pollutant-wise readings or forecasts beyond the immediate weather period.
Weather conditions were expected to improve after the wet spell. By October 31, skies were likely to become partly cloudy, with no weather warnings in place. The IMD forecast mainly clear skies and stable conditions across the region on November 1 and 2. These forecasts provide the next official milestones for residents, commuters and agencies monitoring weather and air-quality conditions across Delhi-NCR.
