Heavy downpours and thunderstorms swept through Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad on Friday afternoon as an active monsoon trough continues to pass close to the National Capital Region (NCR).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that wet weather conditions—featuring intermittent heavy showers, gusty winds, and thunderstorms—will remain active across the region through at least August 19.
Key Highlights
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Independence Day Forecast (Saturday, Aug 15): Skies over the national capital are expected to remain generally cloudy. During the traditional Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort, meteorologists expect partly cloudy conditions with a possibility of light rain or brief showers in isolated areas.
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Precipitation Metrics: In the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 AM on Friday, light rain was recorded across several key stations—including the Ridge (7.6 mm), Safdarjung (3.3 mm), Palam (3.0 mm), and Lodhi Road (1.1 mm).
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Air Quality Boost: The heavy rainfall led to an immediate improvement in air quality. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from “moderate” (103 at 9:00 AM) to the “satisfactory” range (100 at 1:00 PM).
