A sudden downpour early Friday surprised residents of Delhi-NCR, exacerbating the existing cold wave while air pollution levels soared to a troubling 321 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Dark clouds rolled in during the pre-dawn hours, and by around 6 AM, various parts of Delhi were already experiencing rainfall. The initial heavy showers eventually lightened, accompanied by chilly northwesterly winds that further increased the cold factor.
Gurgaon also faced unexpected rainfall despite no specific weather forecasts indicating such. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) projects the minimum temperature in Delhi to hover around 5°C, with daytime highs expected to reach 16–17°C. On Thursday, Safdarjung recorded a low of 5.8°C, nearly a degree below normal, marking the city’s coldest day this season, while Lodhi Road observed a similar minimum of 6.1°C.
While the rain was anticipated to offer some relief from pollution, Delhi’s air quality remained alarmingly poor. By 8 AM, the morning AQI was recorded at around 321, and neighboring areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad fared worse, with similar pollution levels.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for dense fog, cautioning residents about reduced visibility set to persist on Friday and Saturday. Winds at approximately 13 km/h may further lower daytime temperatures, despite brief periods of sunshine seen in the past days. The weather department notes no significant changes in minimum temperatures are expected in the coming days, with cold nights likely to continue. Furthermore, conditions categorized as “cold-day” — when maximum temperatures fall significantly below the norm — are also projected to persist.
In a broader context, the IMD has cautioned about heavy rains anticipated in parts of southern India, alongside severe cold and dense fog expected across northern and central regions.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/unexpected-early-morning-showers-drench-delhi-ncr-intensify-cold-wave-aqi-remains-very-poor-at-321/articleshow/126425642.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-01-09 08:00:00
