Chiller days ahead for Delhi? Unexpected rain hits Delhi-NCR amid dense fog and biting cold

People walk through smog in New Delhi. (AP Photo)

• Unexpected rain hits Delhi and NCR amid cold wave and dense fog
• IMD forecasts more rain, colder temperatures, and improved air quality
• Schools in Delhi, Haryana, Noida, Ghaziabad closed due to cold weather.

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Parts of Delhi and adjoining cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed unexpected rain early Friday as cold wave and dense fog conditions continued to grip north India.

The showers came despite no earlier forecast of rainfall for the capital and surrounding areas.

Amid the rain, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said light to moderate rainfall was likely across Delhi and parts of Haryana and Rajasthan over the next two hours, warning that temperatures could dip further. The showers are expected to bring some relief by improving air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between poor and very poor in recent days.

In its 6.30 am update, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi, said light rain was likely at several locations, including Preet Vihar, ITO, India Gate, Akshardham, Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, RK Puram and Defence Colony. Intermittent drizzle was also forecast for areas such as Mundka, Paschim Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Rajiv Chowk, Dwarka, Delhi Cantt and IGI Airport.

Rain was predicted in NCR cities, including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Palwal and Sohna, along with parts of western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Rain in the national capital comes a day after the city recorded a low of 5.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the third lowest this winter. The reading, observed at Safdarjung, was 1.1 notches below normal.

Palam was the coldest station at 4.8 degrees Celsius, while Ridge and Ayanagar recorded 5.8 degrees. The Safdarjung observatory also logged a minimum of 5.8 degrees, below the seasonal average.

The maximum temperature settled at 17.5 degrees Celsius, around 1.5 degrees below normal. Palam recorded the lowest daytime temperature at 14.5 degrees Celsius.

The IMD said cold wave conditions are likely to persist through the week, with shallow to moderate fog expected during morning hours until January 14. Dense fog is also forecast across northwest, central and northeast India for the next five to seven days.

In view of the biting cold, schools in Delhi and Haryana remain closed until January 15, while schools in Noida and Ghaziabad are shut until January 10. Authorities have advised commuters to exercise caution during early morning hours due to reduced visibility.

*With agency inputs