Delhi-NCR Wakes Up to Light Rain Amid Chilling Cold Wave Conditions

Residents of Delhi and several parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to unexpected light rainfall early Friday morning, adding to the discomfort caused by an ongoing cold wave and dense fog conditions across north India. The sudden showers caught many by surprise, as rainfall had not been predicted in earlier forecasts for the capital.

Soon after the drizzle began, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) updated its forecast, stating that light to moderate rain was likely to continue over Delhi and parts of Haryana and Rajasthan over the next few hours. The weather department also warned that temperatures may dip further, intensifying the cold spell gripping the region.

Rainfall Expected Across Key Delhi Areas

In its morning update, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Delhi, said light rain and intermittent drizzle are likely in several parts of the city, including:

• Preet Vihar
• ITO
• India Gate
• Akshardham
• Safdarjung
• Lodhi Road
• RK Puram
• Defence Colony

Other areas such as Mundka, Paschim Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Rajiv Chowk, Dwarka, Delhi Cantonment, and the IGI Airport zone may also experience brief spells of drizzle as the weather system moves eastwards.

Showers Extend to NCR Cities

Rainfall is not limited to Delhi alone. Several NCR cities are expected to witness light showers, including:

• Noida, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Dadri, Greater Noida
• Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh, Sohna, Palwal
• Bahadurgarh, Karnal, Panipat, Gohana, Rohtak, Rewari
• Nandgaon, Khairthal, Kotputli and Tizara

According to IMD officials, the rainfall activity is linked to an active western disturbance influencing weather patterns over northwestern India.

Cold Wave and Fog to Persist

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in Delhi for Friday. Reduced visibility during early morning hours may affect road, rail, and flight operations.

• Minimum temperature: Around 6°C
• Maximum temperature: Likely to hover near 17°C

Meteorologists say the combination of rainfall, cloud cover, and cold northerly winds could lead to a further drop in night temperatures over the next 24–48 hours.

Air Quality Sees Marginal Improvement

Amid the rain and cold conditions, Delhi recorded a slight improvement in air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 276 on Thursday morning, which falls under the ‘poor’ category.

For reference:

• 0–50: Good
• 51–100: Satisfactory
• 101–200: Moderate
• 201–300: Poor
• 301–400: Very Poor
• 401–500: Severe

Experts note that light rainfall often helps settle dust particles temporarily, leading to marginal AQI improvement, though sustained relief depends on wind patterns and emission control.

Outlook for the Coming Days

Weather officials have advised residents to:

• Take precautions against cold wave conditions
• Drive carefully due to fog and wet roads
• Stay updated with IMD advisories for further rainfall or temperature changes

The cold and foggy spell is expected to persist across large parts of north India, with occasional light rain likely in isolated areas.