Delhi Rains Improve Air Quality but Fog Reduces Visibility

Delhi’s air quality is set to improve following light to moderate rain, although fog reduced visibility to 350 meters. The IMD issued a yellow alert, forecasting more rain until Saturday. Temperatures remained above normal, with no flight disruptions reported.

Delhi experienced light to moderate rainfall on Friday, offering some respite from pollution as air quality is expected to improve over the weekend. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 9.1 mm of rain at Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather station, between late Thursday night and Friday morning.

Despite the rainfall, dense fog reduced visibility to 350 meters at Safdarjung and 800 meters at Palam by 8 am. The air quality, which remained “very poor” with an AQI of 372 in the morning, is projected to shift to the “poor” category later in the day and improve to “moderate” by Saturday.

IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, warning of continued thundershowers until Saturday due to an active western disturbance interacting with easterly winds. This weather system is causing rain and thunderstorms across northwest and central India.

The minimum temperature in Delhi rose to 11°C, four degrees above normal, as cloud cover prevented cooling overnight. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 20°C.

Airport authorities reported no flight disruptions, with runway visual range remaining within operational limits throughout the morning. However, the IMD advised residents to avoid outdoor activities near electric poles and wires during thundershowers.

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As the city braces for more rain, authorities anticipate a significant reduction in pollution levels, providing a temporary relief from the capital’s persistent air quality issues.