Delhi light rain forecast this week; air quality moderate on Aug 26
Synopsis
Delhi's monsoon is settling into a lighter but persistent rhythm — cloudy skies, intermittent showers, and air quality that's moderate rather than alarming. The bigger story is the broader IMD alert covering Uttarakhand, UP, Himachal, and Madhya Pradesh, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast through 31 August, keeping disaster-preparedness agencies on watch across north and central India.
Key Takeaways
Delhi is forecast to receive intermittent light rain through the week, with temperatures between 26°C and 33°C .
The IMD recorded only light rainfall at Safdarjung and Palam stations on 26 August .
Anand Vihar logged the highest AQI in Delhi at 147 ; most other stations remained in the satisfactory-to-moderate range.
Heavy rain on 25 August caused waterlogging across Delhi-NCR ; a Yellow Alert had been issued by the IMD.
Uttarakhand , Uttar Pradesh , Himachal Pradesh , and Madhya Pradesh are under heavy rainfall advisories through 31 August .
New Delhi is set for another week of cloudy skies and intermittent light rain, as the active monsoon trough continues to influence the capital's weather. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed on Wednesday, 26 August that air quality across most monitoring stations remained in the moderate category, offering some relief even as localised waterlogging remains a concern.
Weather Outlook for Delhi This Week
The IMD has forecast light rainfall spells through the week, with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius and the minimum near 26 degrees Celsius. Both the Safdarjung and Palam weather stations recorded only light precipitation on Wednesday. Monsoon conditions remain favourable, and the capital can expect intermittent showers to continue over the coming days.
While the rainfall is unlikely to cause severe disruption, residents have been advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts, as conditions could shift during the week. Localised inconvenience and traffic slowdowns in low-lying areas remain possible.
Context: Heavy Rain and Waterlogging on August 25
The current spell follows a heavier bout of rainfall across Delhi-NCR on 25 August, which triggered waterlogging at multiple locations and disrupted traffic movement. The IMD had issued a Yellow Alert for heavy rainfall in the national capital ahead of that event. This is part of a broader pattern of intensified monsoon activity across north India in the second half of August.
Air Quality Readings Across Delhi
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) readings on Wednesday showed most areas in the satisfactory-to-moderate range. Anand Vihar recorded the highest reading at 147, followed by CRRI Mathura Road at 143. Rohini, Ashok Vihar, and Sonia Vihar each logged readings around 105-106. Stations including Mundka, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla Phase-2, ITO, Vivek Vihar, R.K. Puram, DTU, JNU, IIT Delhi, and Lodhi Road fell in the satisfactory-to-moderate band.
Rainfall Forecast Across North and Central India
Beyond Delhi, the IMD has flagged widespread rainfall across several states. Uttarakhand is expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall through 31 August, with heavy rain likely on 26 August and again on 30-31 August. Uttar Pradesh faces fairly widespread showers until 27 August, with isolated very heavy rainfall on 26 and 27 August. Himachal Pradesh is forecast to receive isolated to scattered rainfall through the 26-31 August window. In Madhya Pradesh, widespread rain is likely on 26 August, tapering to scattered showers through 31 August, with thunderstorms possible until 29 August.
The IMD has also flagged heavy to very heavy rainfall for isolated areas across northwest, central, eastern, northeastern, western, and southern peninsular India this week. Residents in vulnerable zones have been advised to exercise caution, particularly during thunderstorms and periods of gusty winds.
Point of View
Not a structural improvement — the capital's air quality typically deteriorates sharply once the monsoon withdraws in late September. The more pressing concern is the IMD's broadband alert covering Uttarakhand, UP, and Madhya Pradesh simultaneously; flash flood and landslide risk in hill states tends to be underreported until casualties mount. The 25 August waterlogging episode in Delhi also underscores a recurring urban infrastructure failure — one that light rain advisories alone cannot address.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather forecast for Delhi this week?
Delhi is expected to see cloudy skies and spells of light rain through the week, with maximum temperatures around 33°C and minimums near 26°C. The IMD says monsoon conditions remain favourable, and intermittent showers are likely to continue.
What is Delhi's air quality today, 26 August?
Delhi's air quality remained largely in the moderate category on 26 August. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 147, followed by CRRI Mathura Road at 143. Most other stations, including Rohini, Ashok Vihar, and Sonia Vihar, logged readings in the 105-106 range.
What caused waterlogging in Delhi on 25 August?
Heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR on 25 August led to waterlogging at several locations and disrupted traffic. The IMD had issued a Yellow Alert for heavy rainfall in the capital ahead of the event.
Which states are under heavy rainfall alerts from the IMD?
The IMD has flagged heavy to very heavy rainfall for Uttarakhand through 31 August, Uttar Pradesh through 27 August, Himachal Pradesh through 31 August, and Madhya Pradesh through 31 August, with thunderstorm and lightning warnings at isolated locations.
Should Delhi residents take any precautions this week?
The IMD has advised residents to stay updated on the latest forecasts as conditions could change during the week. While no major severe weather threat has been indicated for Delhi, localised waterlogging and traffic disruption remain possible during rain spells.
