Delhi-NCR rain, strong winds likely Oct 10-11; AQI hits 231 in Dwarka
Synopsis
The retreating southwest monsoon is triggering a multi-state rain event, with the IMD placing 14 states on alert. Delhi-NCR faces light showers and strong winds on October 10-11, while Uttarakhand pilgrims on the Char Dham Yatra have been warned to stay vigilant. Meanwhile, Delhi's AQI has already breached 230 at Dwarka — a sign of the worsening air quality season just around the corner.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued rain alerts for 14 states as the southwest monsoon retreats.
Delhi-NCR is likely to see light rain and strong winds on 10 and 11 October ; cloudy skies persist until 14 October .
Uttarakhand faces heavy rainfall until 14 October ; pilgrims on the Char Dham Yatra at Kedarnath and Badrinath have been advised to stay vigilant.
Jammu and Kashmir , Himachal Pradesh , Bihar , Jharkhand , and southern states including Kerala and Tamil Nadu are also under rain alerts.
Delhi's AQI reached 231 at Dwarka Sector 8 , with multiple stations recording readings between 115 and 231 on 9 October .
The plains of North India, including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, are likely to experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the coming days as the southwest monsoon begins its withdrawal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to drive heavy rainfall across multiple states through 14 October 2026.
Delhi-NCR Weather Outlook
Delhi-NCR is expected to see light showers accompanied by strong winds on 10 and 11 October. Cloudy skies and intermittent light rain are likely to persist across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana until 14 October. Western Rajasthan is also forecast to witness strong winds on 11 October, while eastern Rajasthan may receive light rain on 12 October.
Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh are likely to receive rainfall between 9 and 11 October, with some areas in eastern UP potentially facing thunderstorms and lightning alongside wind gusts of up to 50 kmph in parts of eastern Madhya Pradesh, including Rewa, Satna, and Shahdol.
IMD Rain Alerts: 14 States on Notice
The IMD has issued rain alerts for 14 states as the retreating monsoon triggers widespread activity. Uttarakhand faces the most sustained threat, with heavy rainfall forecast until 14 October. Districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag are under active heavy rain alerts. The department has specifically advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra — particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath — to remain vigilant.
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to receive heavy showers on Friday and Saturday, and again on 13 and 14 October. Thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds have been forecast for areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur, and Srinagar. In Himachal Pradesh, districts such as Chamba, Kullu, Manali, and Shimla are likely to see rainfall on 13 and 14 October.
East and Northeast India: Heavy Rain Through Mid-October
The effects of the retreating monsoon are set to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal, with thunderstorms and lightning possible in cities including Patna, Ranchi, and Dhanbad until 11 October.
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between 9 and 11 October. Rainfall is forecast to continue across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura until 14 October. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain until 11 October, while Chhattisgarh is likely to see showers on 14 October.
Delhi Air Quality: Moderate to Poor Across Monitoring Stations
Alongside the weather disruption, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate-to-poor range on 9 October. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and both Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each.
Other monitoring stations including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri, and Rohini recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198. While the forecast rain could temporarily improve air quality by settling particulate matter, experts note that post-monsoon pollution typically worsens as the season transitions.
With the monsoon's final withdrawal expected soon, residents across Delhi-NCR and North India should brace for a brief spell of wet weather before conditions shift toward the drier, and historically more polluted, October-November period.
Point of View
But this year's withdrawal pattern is worth watching: cyclonic activity during withdrawal has historically caused flash floods in Uttarakhand's Char Dham belt, and the IMD's specific advisory to pilgrims signals the department is taking that risk seriously. Meanwhile, the juxtaposition of incoming rain and a Dwarka AQI of 231 captures Delhi's seasonal paradox — the last rains briefly suppress particulate matter before stubble-burning season sets in and drives the capital's air quality toward the hazardous zone. The real story here is not the rain itself, but what comes immediately after.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Delhi-NCR receive rain in October 2026?
Delhi-NCR is likely to experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on 10 and 11 October 2026, according to the IMD. Cloudy skies and intermittent light rain are forecast across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana until 14 October.
Which states are under IMD rain alerts for October 2026?
The IMD has issued rain alerts for 14 states. These include Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and several northeastern states, with alerts running through 14 October.
Is the Char Dham Yatra safe during the October rain alert?
The IMD has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra — especially those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath — to remain vigilant, as Uttarakhand is expected to receive heavy rainfall until 14 October. Districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag are under specific heavy rain alerts.
What is Delhi's air quality index right now?
As of 9 October, Delhi's AQI ranged from moderate to poor across monitoring stations. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded the highest reading at 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219 and Punjabi Bagh at 211. Other stations recorded readings between 115 and 198.
Why is the southwest monsoon causing rain during its withdrawal?
During its withdrawal phase, the southwest monsoon generates cyclonic activity that can produce significant rainfall across North and Central India, even as the monsoon retreats westward. This year, the retreating system is expected to bring heavy showers to states like Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand over the next three to four days.
