Delhi-NCR receives splash of relief from sudden rain, air quality improves

The India Meteorological Department has predicted intermittent rain over the city and its surrounding areas until early noon on Friday.

A fresh bout of rainfall in New Delhi on Friday morning brought much-needed relief to residents grappling with severe air pollution. Morning walkers experienced a notable improvement in air quality. However, several parts of the city saw only marginal enhancements in the Air Quality Index (AQI), with readings remaining in the “severe” category in Anand Vihar (462), RK Puram (461), Punjabi Bagh (460), and ITO (464).

The India Meteorological Department has predicted intermittent rain over the city and its surrounding areas until early noon on Friday. Light showers are also anticipated in neighboring states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

This rainfall on Friday occurs just two days before the Diwali festival, a time when many people tend to disregard the ban on firecrackers, leading to a surge in air pollution. In response, the local government of the city, housing around 20 million people across approximately 1,500 square kilometers (579 square miles), has taken proactive measures by closing schools, halting construction activities, and announcing restrictions on vehicle use to curb pollution.