Delhi Weather Update: Record Rainfall Brings Relief but Chills the Capital
This December, Delhi witnessed a remarkable weather shift with record-breaking rainfall and an unusual drop in temperatures. The city experienced its coldest December day in five years, with temperatures dipping to 14.6°C on Friday. Let’s dive into how this rare combination of rain and cold unfolded and what lies ahead for the Capital.
Record Rainfall and Cold Spell
Delhi’s December rains reached a 15-year high, bringing a much-needed break from the city’s infamous toxic air pollution. Rainfall started late Thursday night and continued intermittently through Friday. While the rain helped cleanse the air, it also brought along a chilly wave that disrupted the usual temperature patterns for the month.
Here’s how December’s coldest days compare over the past five years:
- 2024: 14.6°C
- 2023: 15.9°C
- 2022: 15.6°C
- 2021: 17.8°C
- 2020: 15.2°C
Improvement in Air Quality
The silver lining to this wet and cold weather was the significant improvement in Delhi’s air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI), which had lingered in the hazardous “very poor” range, dropped dramatically to the “moderate” category on Friday. This marks a major relief for residents who had been grappling with health concerns due to prolonged air pollution.
Here’s how AQI levels looked across the city on Saturday morning:
- Alipur: 140
- Anand Vihar: 220
- Ashok Vihar: 165
- IGI Airport (T3): 112
- Dwarka Sector 8: 172
- Punjabi Bagh: 190
- Dilshad Garden: 75
In the NCR region, cities like Greater Noida and Ghaziabad saw AQI levels dip to 87, with Noida at 116 and Gurgaon and Faridabad at 108 each.
Weather Forecast: What’s Next?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more cloudy skies and scattered showers through Saturday. As the rain clears, dense fog is expected to take over from December 29 onward. The mornings will likely witness light to moderate fog, leading to reduced visibility.
Temperatures are also set to plummet further, with the minimum temperature expected to drop sharply. This combination of dense fog and chilly mornings could create travel challenges in the coming days.
How the AQI Works
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures air pollution on a scale of 0 to 500, categorized as follows:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Delhi’s improvement to the “moderate” category led to the lifting of GRAP-3 restrictions, which had banned BS-IV vehicles and halted non-essential construction activities.
Conclusion
This December’s weather has been a mix of relief and challenge for Delhi. While record rainfall has improved air quality and brought temporary relief from pollution, the accompanying cold spell and dense fog may cause disruptions. Residents are advised to stay warm, plan their travel carefully, and enjoy the cleaner, fresher air while it lasts.
Reference from:-https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/delhi-weather-record-rain-and-146degc-cold-mark-capitals-frostiest-december-yet-458807-2024-12-28