Delhi-NCR Braces for Storm Day; AQI Remains Poor Across Cities

Delhi-NCR is bracing for a stormy day as the weather changed abruptly from Thursday morning. Early rainfall was recorded across the capital and surrounding areas, and the India Meteorological Department has issued a significant forecast for October 29.

The IMD expects thunderstorms and rain through the entire day. The administration has advised people to stay cautious as conditions unfold. A special yellow alert has been placed on today's weather.

Today's maximum temperature is expected to reach 27 degrees Celsius, with a minimum of 17 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity is likely to be between 65 and 95 percent, and the sky will stay largely overcast.

The weather will shift across the day. Early hours will bring light to moderate rain, thunder, lightning, and winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. The afternoon will see light to moderate rain and continued storms, with winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. The same conditions will persist after afternoon, with rain, storms, and strong winds. Evening will bring light to moderate rain, thunder, lightning, and winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour.

For the next few days, October 30 will bring storms with rain and temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees. October 31 will see improvement, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 19 and 29 degrees. November 1 and 2 will be partly cloudy and mostly clear, with temperatures up to 30 degrees and lows of 17 to 19 degrees. November 3 will be mostly clear, with temperatures between 16 and 30 degrees.

Air quality shows little sign of improvement despite the rain. The AQI remains in the 'poor' to 'very poor' category.

Among Delhi's localities, Mundka has the worst reading at 344, which is in the 'very poor' range. Najafgarh stands at 243, Nangloi at 260, Narela at 242, Mandir Marg at 230, North Campus at 230, and Dwarka at 270.

Noida's sectors are also affected. Sector 62 logged 276, Sector 125 logged 267, Sector 110 logged 259, Sector 150 logged 254, Sector 39 logged 214, Sector 1 logged 181, and Sector 116 logged 165.

The Meteorological Department notes that heavy rain is likely today. While rain can hold pollution particles down and prevent them from dispersing, meaningful rainfall could still ease pollution levels for Delhi and Noida residents.