Rainfall and hailstorms across parts of Delhi-NCR on Sunday night brought a noticeable change in weather conditions. Temperatures dropped, and residents experienced a slight chill on Monday morning. The national capital recorded its coldest morning of the season so far, with the minimum temperature falling to 16 degrees Celsius. The rainfall also brought some relief from air pollution. After several days of AQI readings approaching 300 in some areas, levels dropped to around 150 in several locations.

Rainfall Brings Relief from Pollution
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 175 at 3 PM on Monday, placing it in the moderate category. Rainfall can help reduce airborne dust and some pollutants, leading to temporary improvements in air quality. However, pollution levels remain a concern in several parts of the capital, where air quality continues to range from poor to very poor. The improvement does not mean that pollution has disappeared completely.

Several Areas Continue to Record Poor Air Quality
Despite the rainfall, AQI readings remained above 200 at several monitoring stations across Delhi. According to the available figures, Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 241, Mathura Road 237, Mundka 232, Punjabi Bagh 230, Dwarka 224 and RK Puram 255. Chandni Chowk recorded 219, Bawana 215, Alipur 212 and the JLN Stadium area 212. These figures indicate that air pollution continues to be a significant concern in several neighbourhoods despite the recent improvement.

Noida and Ghaziabad Also See Changes in Air Quality
Other cities across the National Capital Region also recorded varying levels of improvement. In Noida, the AQI stood at 122 in Sector 125, 142 in Sector 1 and 117 in Sector 116, while Sector 62 recorded 253. In Ghaziabad, Govindpuram recorded an AQI of 59, placing it in the satisfactory category. Indirapuram recorded 154, while Loni and Sanjay Nagar registered 130 each. Vasundhara recorded an AQI of 181. The figures highlight significant variations in air quality across different parts of the NCR.

What Is the Weather Forecast for the Last Week of October?
According to the weather forecast, Delhi was expected to record a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16 degrees on October 26. On October 27, temperatures are expected to range between 16 and 31 degrees. Partly cloudy skies are likely on October 28. Thunderstorms and rainfall are forecast for October 29 and 30, with maximum temperatures expected to remain between 31 and 32 degrees and minimum temperatures between 17 and 19 degrees. On October 31, partly cloudy conditions are expected to continue, with temperatures likely to remain between 18 and 31 degrees Celsius.