Rainfall affected parts of Delhi early on Friday, with meteorological officials predicting additional showers throughout the day.
According to weather department representatives, an active western disturbance combined with easterly winds is responsible for light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across northwest and central India, including the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi.
The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi’s primary weather monitoring station, reported 1.8 mm of rainfall between 2:30 am and 5:30 am, followed by 7.3 mm more between 5:30 am and 8:30 am.
Other stations also recorded significant rainfall, with Palam measuring 11.3 mm, Lodhi Road at 6.8 mm, and Pusa receiving 5.5 mm.
The meteorological office has indicated that the day will be generally overcast with light to moderate rain expected.
The minimum temperature in the capital was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius, which is 2.8 degrees above the seasonal norm.
As of 9 am, the air quality index (AQI) stood in the ‘very poor’ category, reaching a level of 372, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
On the previous day, the AQI for a 24-hour period had registered at 345 at 4 pm.
To clarify air quality standards, an AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good,’ 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101 to 200 ‘moderate,’ 201 to 300 ‘poor,’ 301 to 400 ‘very poor,’ and 401 to 500 is classified as ‘severe.’