Delhi-NCR rain lowers temperatures, AQI drops to 76 on Friday
Synopsis
Overnight rain transformed Delhi-NCR on 30 October — pushing AQI down to 76 after back-to-back days above 200, and dragging temperatures to their lowest October level in four years. The trigger was the weakening Cyclone Arnab, whose tail-end moisture swept through the capital. Clear skies are forecast from 1 November, but the chill signals winter has arrived early.
Key Takeaways
Delhi's overall AQI fell to 76 (satisfactory) on 30 October , down from above 200 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Thursday was Delhi's coldest October day in four years , with temperatures 5.6°C below normal, linked to the weakening Cyclone Arnab .
Station-level AQI ranged from 71 (Burari) to 144 (Uttam Nagar) across monitoring points.
The IMD issued a yellow alert on 29 October ; isolated heavy rain possible Friday night.
Weather expected to stabilise from 31 October ; mainly clear skies forecast from 1 November .
A low-to-moderate flash flood risk flagged until 30 October in parts of Chhattisgarh , Odisha , Jharkhand , Bihar , and eastern Uttar Pradesh .
Overnight rainfall across Delhi-NCR on 30 October 2026 triggered a sharp drop in temperatures and ushered in a wintry chill, while simultaneously pushing air quality into the satisfactory range. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 76 on Friday morning — a marked improvement after two consecutive days of AQI readings above 200.
Rain Sweeps the Capital
Steady showers were reported across several parts of New Delhi late Thursday night. Visuals from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station and the Jamia Millia Islamia area showed rain-soaked roads and overcast skies. The downpour coincided with the weakening of Cyclone Arnab, which had already driven Thursday's temperatures 5.6 degrees Celsius below normal — making it Delhi's coldest October day in four years.
AQI Readings Across Monitoring Stations
While the city-wide average settled at 76, individual monitoring stations recorded a wider range of pollution levels. Burari logged the lowest at 71, while Badarpur and Uttam Nagar came in at 142 and 144 respectively. Pusa registered 138, Sirifort recorded 127, Dwarka Sector 8 stood at 126, and both Jahangirpuri and Rohini logged 128. Other areas — including Jharoda Kalan, R.K. Puram, IIT Delhi, Narela, Najafgarh, Bawana, and the Commonwealth Sports Complex — recorded AQI levels ranging from 104 to 142, still within the moderate band.
IMD Forecast and Weather Warnings
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a yellow alert for Delhi and neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) districts on 29 October, forecasting rainfall and thunderstorms over 24 to 48 hours. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, New Delhi, areas including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad are likely to see generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Isolated heavy rainfall remains possible on Friday night.
What Comes Next
Weather conditions are expected to improve on 31 October, with partly cloudy skies forecast and no weather warnings issued for Saturday. From 1 November, Delhi-NCR is likely to see mainly clear skies and more stable conditions. This comes amid a broader regional weather advisory: a low-to-moderate flash flood risk has been flagged until 30 October in vulnerable watersheds across several districts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. As the cyclonic influence recedes, Delhi residents can expect a gradual stabilisation — though the dip in temperatures signals the onset of winter is now firmly underway.
Point of View
Not because any structural source-reduction happened. Once the rains clear and stubble-burning resumes across Punjab and Haryana in earnest, levels could spike again within days. The more consequential data point here is the temperature anomaly: a 5.6°C below-normal October reading linked to a cyclone's outer bands is a reminder that Delhi's weather is increasingly shaped by distant extreme events. The city's urban heat-island infrastructure — designed for a different climate baseline — is consistently caught off guard.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Delhi's AQI to improve on 30 October 2026?
Overnight rainfall washed pollutants from the air, bringing Delhi's overall AQI down to 76 in the satisfactory category on 30 October. This followed two days of AQI readings above 200 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Why was Thursday Delhi's coldest October day in four years?
The weakening Cyclone Arnab pushed temperatures 5.6 degrees Celsius below normal on Thursday, making it the coldest October day Delhi had recorded in four years. The associated moisture also triggered the overnight rainfall across Delhi-NCR.
What is the weather forecast for Delhi-NCR this weekend?
Light to moderate showers with isolated heavy rain are possible on Friday night. Conditions are expected to improve on 31 October with partly cloudy skies, and from 1 November mainly clear and stable weather is forecast for Delhi-NCR.
Which areas in Delhi recorded the worst AQI on 30 October?
Uttam Nagar recorded the highest AQI at 144, followed by Badarpur at 142. Several other stations including Jharoda Kalan, Bawana, and the Commonwealth Sports Complex logged levels between 104 and 142, placing them in the moderate category.
Is there a flood risk in other states due to the same weather system?
Yes, a low-to-moderate flash flood risk has been flagged until 30 October in vulnerable watersheds across parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, according to weather authorities.
