Key Highlights

• Rain alert for Delhi-NCR: IMD forecasts isolated to scattered rainfall from October 28 to November 1.
• Double weather system: A western disturbance over northwest Uttar Pradesh and very severe Cyclone Arnab are driving the change.
• Cyclone landfall: Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts with winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.
• AQI at 250: Delhi’s overall air quality stayed ‘poor’ at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, with PM2.5 as the main pollutant.
• Hotspots cross 300: Vivek Vihar (320) and Jahangirpuri (307) recorded the highest readings in the city.

Delhi-NCR is set for a sharp change in weather this week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall across the national capital from October 28 to November 1. The question many residents are asking is whether the showers will bring relief from the city’s worsening air.

The rain is driven by two weather systems. According to the IMD, a western disturbance, in the form of a cyclonic circulation, lies over northwest Uttar Pradesh and its neighbourhood. At the same time, very severe Cyclone Arnab is moving northwestwards and is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28. The IMD said the cyclone could bring maximum sustained winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.

The unseasonal rain is expected to cause a significant drop in daytime temperatures, which could affect Karwa Chauth celebrations. Many women breaking their fast after moonrise may find cloud cover a concern, so families may want to plan accordingly.

The impact of Arnab will reach well beyond the coast. The IMD has forecast isolated to very heavy rainfall over Telangana and Vidarbha on October 28. Chhattisgarh, east Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha are likely to be affected on October 29. Bihar may see rainfall between October 29 and 30.

Delhi’s Air: Poor, With Pockets Worse

Delhi’s city-level Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 250 at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) All India AQI portal. PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, was the main pollutant.

Several areas were worse than the city average. Vivek Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 320, followed by Jahangirpuri at 307. On the CPCB scale, readings above 300 fall in the ‘very poor’ category, which means these two areas have already crossed into a more serious band. Patparganj (291), Sirifort (290), Dwarka Sector 8 (286), Alipur and Chandni Chowk (285 each) and R.K. Puram (284) were close behind. Punjabi Bagh, Mundka and the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded readings between 270 and 273.

Will the Rain Help?

Rain can wash fine particles out of the air, which is why showers often bring short-term improvements in AQI. However, light or scattered rain may not be enough. If humidity stays high and winds remain calm after the showers, pollutants can stay trapped near the ground. The real test will be wind speed and how much rain actually falls.

For now, residents, especially children, older people and those with breathing problems, should limit outdoor activity in the hotspot areas and keep checking official IMD and CPCB updates.

(With inputs from IANS)

Key Highlights

• Rain alert for Delhi-NCR: IMD forecasts isolated to scattered rainfall from October 28 to November 1.
• Double weather system: A western disturbance over northwest Uttar Pradesh and very severe Cyclone Arnab are driving the change.
• Cyclone landfall: Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts with winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.
• AQI at 250: Delhi’s overall air quality stayed ‘poor’ at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, with PM2.5 as the main pollutant.
• Hotspots cross 300: Vivek Vihar (320) and Jahangirpuri (307) recorded the highest readings in the city.

Delhi-NCR is set for a sharp change in weather this week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall across the national capital from October 28 to November 1. The question many residents are asking is whether the showers will bring relief from the city’s worsening air.

The rain is driven by two weather systems. According to the IMD, a western disturbance, in the form of a cyclonic circulation, lies over northwest Uttar Pradesh and its neighbourhood. At the same time, very severe Cyclone Arnab is moving northwestwards and is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28. The IMD said the cyclone could bring maximum sustained winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.

The unseasonal rain is expected to cause a significant drop in daytime temperatures, which could affect Karwa Chauth celebrations. Many women breaking their fast after moonrise may find cloud cover a concern, so families may want to plan accordingly.

The impact of Arnab will reach well beyond the coast. The IMD has forecast isolated to very heavy rainfall over Telangana and Vidarbha on October 28. Chhattisgarh, east Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha are likely to be affected on October 29. Bihar may see rainfall between October 29 and 30.

Delhi’s Air: Poor, With Pockets Worse

Delhi’s city-level Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 250 at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) All India AQI portal. PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, was the main pollutant.

Several areas were worse than the city average. Vivek Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 320, followed by Jahangirpuri at 307. On the CPCB scale, readings above 300 fall in the ‘very poor’ category, which means these two areas have already crossed into a more serious band. Patparganj (291), Sirifort (290), Dwarka Sector 8 (286), Alipur and Chandni Chowk (285 each) and R.K. Puram (284) were close behind. Punjabi Bagh, Mundka and the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded readings between 270 and 273.

Will the Rain Help?

Rain can wash fine particles out of the air, which is why showers often bring short-term improvements in AQI. However, light or scattered rain may not be enough. If humidity stays high and winds remain calm after the showers, pollutants can stay trapped near the ground. The real test will be wind speed and how much rain actually falls.

For now, residents, especially children, older people and those with breathing problems, should limit outdoor activity in the hotspot areas and keep checking official IMD and CPCB updates.

(With inputs from IANS)