Amid the ongoing Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for rain and thunderstorms in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). According to IMD’s latest nowcast, the rain and thunderstorms are likely to occur over the next two to three hours.
The rainfall could affect the festivities as thousands of people are out in the city celebrating Durga Puja pandals and Dussehra fairs. A yellow alert has been issued for Delhi and Noida.
Areas Likely to Receive Rain
IMD posted the alert on its official handle on X. The weather department has predicted light rain and thunderstorms with lightning in several parts of the city, including:
- South East Delhi
- East Delhi
- Shahadara
- Central Delhi
- North East Delhi
- South Delhi
- New Delhi
- South West Delhi
- West Delhi
- North West Delhi
- North Delhi
Temperature and Humidity Levels
On Thursday, Delhi’s humidity was recorded at a maximum of 85 percent. The minimum temperature is expected to settle around 26 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is likely to touch 33 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall over Delhi NCR during next 2-3 hours. @ndmaindia @DDMA @moesgoi @airnewsalerts @DDNational @DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/n6fTZRaVyw
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 2, 2025
The capital has been witnessing light rain for the past few days. The showers have provided relief to Delhiites from the humid conditions.
Recent Rainfall in the Capital
The Safdarjung weather station, considered the base station for Delhi, recorded 37.8 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Wednesday. Other parts of Delhi also received scattered rainfall, cooling down the atmosphere ahead of the festive season.
Delhi Air Quality Update
Along with the rainfall, the city’s air quality index (AQI) has also been closely monitored. On Thursday morning, Delhi’s AQI stood at 114, which falls in the ‘moderate’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The CPCB defines AQI levels as follows:
- 0 to 50 – Good
- 51 to 100 – Satisfactory
- 101 to 200 – Moderate
- 201 to 300 – Poor
- 301 to 400 – Very Poor
- 401 to 500 – Severe
An AQI of 114 suggests that the city’s air is moderately polluted, but the rainfall over the past few days may help bring down the pollution levels further.
What the Rain Means for Delhiites
While the rainfall may cause disruptions to outdoor Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations, it also brings relief from heat and humidity. Experts believe the showers could also improve the city’s air quality if the rainfall continues over the weekend.
IMD has advised residents to take precautions while stepping out for festivities during the alert period. With a yellow warning in place, people are urged to stay updated on weather developments and plan their travel accordingly.
