Delhi-NCR is likely to see hot, dry days and mildly cooler nights through the week, with no rain forecast and air quality worsening as the recent wet spell ends. The air quality index in Delhi rose from 71 to 129 within 24 hours, placing it in the moderate category, according to a report by Live Hindustan – NCR citing the India Meteorological Department and its own correspondent.
The region experienced strong sunshine during the day, while north-westerly winds reduced humidity. At Safdarjung, Delhi’s standard meteorological observatory, the maximum temperature was recorded at 34.2 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 22.4 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees below normal.
The combination is producing a noticeable contrast in daily conditions: warmer afternoons because of direct sunshine and slightly cooler nights as temperatures fall. The weather is expected to remain dry, with clear skies and no rainfall predicted during the week covered by the forecast.
For Thursday, the maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to remain between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may range from 21 to 23 degrees Celsius. The report said the daytime weather would continue to feel warm, while nighttime temperatures could decline slightly.
Between October 2 and October 5, the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius. A further reduction is forecast on October 5, when the maximum may fall to between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius. The report also noted that Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, which was 2.3 degrees below normal and the lowest September minimum recorded in the city since 2008.
The immediate concern for urban residents is the deterioration in air quality. Delhi’s AQI rose to 129 on Wednesday from 71 on Tuesday, an increase of 58 points in a day. Under the reported classification, 129 falls within the moderate category. The report attributed the rise to the end of rainfall activity and said air quality could deteriorate further over the following two days.
The shift is significant for a city where weather conditions directly influence the movement and concentration of pollutants. With dry conditions expected to continue and no rain forecast, residents may experience a combination of heat during daylight hours, cooler nights and increasingly polluted air. The weather department’s forecast indicates that the next immediate change to monitor will be the expected fall in daytime temperatures around October 5.
