Residents of Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a rainy and cloudy Friday morning with moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in several areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and rain in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Haryana due to an active western disturbance. The weather change is anticipated to bring a significant decrease in temperatures, intensifying the winter chill in the region.
The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for Delhi, predicting light rain with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds during the early hours of Friday. Following a warm January day, Delhi is expected to witness a notable drop in temperatures, with the maximum temperature likely to reach around 19 degrees Celsius. Despite the rainfall offering some relief, concerns persist over air quality in Delhi-NCR, with pollution levels remaining in the ‘very poor’ category in various locations.
Data from pollution control boards indicated a slight improvement in air quality in some areas, though the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stood at 302, categorized as ‘very poor’. Ghaziabad and Noida in the NCR also reported varying AQI levels, with some areas showing improvement. Weather experts suggest that the combination of rainfall and strong winds will significantly lower daytime temperatures, enhancing the cold conditions experienced during the day.
