New Delhi, Jan 23 (NationPress) The residents of the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a rainy and overcast Friday morning, as numerous areas in the region encountered moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. This shift in weather is projected to lead to a significant drop in temperatures, further enhancing the winter chill throughout the area, according to the weather department.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and rain in Delhi-NCR as well as parts of adjacent Punjab and Haryana. As per the IMD, this weather phenomenon is being influenced by an active western disturbance affecting northwestern India, resulting in cloudy conditions and sporadic rainfall.

The weather office has also released a yellow alert for Delhi, predicting one or two instances of light rain along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph during the early morning to forenoon hours on Friday. Another spell of very light to light rain is anticipated later in the afternoon or evening.

This abrupt change follows a day when Delhi recorded its warmest January day in seven years, with the maximum temperature hitting 27.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday. However, the IMD has warned that a notable decrease in temperatures is imminent on Friday, with maximum temperatures expected to drop to around 19 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may linger near 12 degrees Celsius.

Despite the rain offering some temporary respite, air quality in Delhi-NCR remains a pressing issue. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) indicated slight improvements in various areas, although pollution levels still fall within the ‘very poor’ category in numerous locations.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was documented at 302, placing it in the lower end of the ‘very poor’ category. Among the most affected areas in the national capital were Bawana with an AQI of 342, Ashok Vihar at 335, Chandni Chowk at 326, Alipur at 322, Anand Vihar at 317, and the DTU area at 312.

In the NCR, Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 267 in Indirapuram and 290 in Sanjay Nagar, while Loni continued to experience severe pollution levels with an AQI of 390. In Noida, the AQI was measured at 249 in Sector 62, 319 in Sector 125, 290 in Sector 1, and 296 in Sector 116.

Some localities did see air quality improve from the red zone to the orange zone, providing limited relief to residents. Meteorologists indicated that rainfall and strong winds are likely to significantly reduce daytime temperatures. Consequently, even if minimum temperatures do not drop sharply, the cold conditions are expected to be felt more acutely during the day.