Delhi-NCR rain and thunderstorms today: IMD forecast, AQI levels on 6 October
Synopsis
Delhi-NCR's early-October pollution crisis got a brief reprieve from rain and strong winds, but CPCB data tells a sobering story: Ghaziabad's Sanjay Nagar hit an AQI of 322, and experts warn that once the winds die down after the rain, pollutants could rebound sharply — a cycle the NCR lives through every October.
Key Takeaways
IMD has forecast rain and thunderstorms for Delhi-NCR on 6–7 October 2026 , with partly cloudy conditions persisting through 11 October .
Tuesday's maximum temperature is expected at 35°C ; a dip to 32°C is forecast from 9 October .
Mundka recorded the highest AQI in Delhi at 280 ('poor'), per CPCB data.
Ghaziabad's Sanjay Nagar posted an AQI of 322 and Wave City 305 — both in the 'very poor' category.
Experts caution that falling wind speeds post-rain could cause pollutants to re-accumulate, reversing any improvement.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to sweep across New Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday and Wednesday, 7–8 October 2026, bringing a short-lived respite from the season's early pollution surge, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Strong winds accompanying the weather change have already produced a marginal improvement in air quality, though several zones continue to record 'poor' to 'very poor' readings on the air quality index.
IMD Forecast for Delhi-NCR This Week
On Tuesday, Delhi is expected to record a maximum temperature of around 35°C and a minimum of 22°C, with humidity ranging between 45 and 55 per cent. Partly cloudy skies are forecast for 7 and 8 October, with temperatures likely to remain in the 34–22°C band on both days.
A slight cooling trend is projected from 9 October onwards, when the maximum temperature is forecast to dip to 32°C. Partly cloudy conditions are expected to persist through 10 and 11 October, with daytime highs holding between 32 and 33°C.
Air Quality Across Delhi: Key Readings
Despite the wind-driven improvement, air quality data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows pollution remains elevated across much of the capital. Mundka recorded the highest AQI at 280, followed by Narela at 255, Okhla Phase 2 at 223, and North Campus at 205 — all in the 'poor' category.
Other monitored stations logged moderate-to-elevated readings: Najafgarh at 166, Mandir Marg at 160, NSUT Jafarpur at 154, Nehru Nagar at 145, and Patparganj at 149.
Noida and Ghaziabad: Pollution Situation
In Noida, Sector 116 recorded an AQI of 267 — firmly in the 'poor' bracket — while Sector 62 registered 185. Sector 125 and Sector 1 posted readings of 136 and 137, respectively.
The situation is most acute in Ghaziabad, where several localities crossed into the 'very poor' category. Sanjay Nagar topped the district at 322, with Wave City close behind at 305. Vasundhara recorded 243, while Govindpuram and Indirapuram registered 148 and 151, respectively.
Will Rain Help — and for How Long?
The IMD has indicated that rainfall in the coming days could further scrub pollutants from the atmosphere. However, experts have cautioned that the relief may be temporary: if wind speeds drop after the rain clears, pollutants could re-accumulate, potentially pushing air quality back toward hazardous levels. This pattern — brief rain-driven improvement followed by a stagnant, pollutant-trapping atmosphere — has recurred every October in the NCR as paddy-straw burning in neighbouring states picks up. The coming week's wind trajectory will be a critical variable.
Point of View
But the underlying numbers are a warning sign: Ghaziabad hitting 322 on the AQI scale on the first week of October is a harbinger, not an outlier. Delhi-NCR's pollution season has been arriving earlier each year, and the standard response — waiting for wind and rain — is not a policy. The real question is whether the Centre and state governments will enforce stubble-burning bans before the crisis fully matures, or react with emergency measures after the fact, as has become the annual pattern.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather forecast for Delhi-NCR this week?
The IMD has forecast rain and thunderstorms for Delhi-NCR on 6–7 October, with partly cloudy skies expected through 11 October. Temperatures are likely to range between 22°C and 35°C on Tuesday, easing to 32°C from 9 October.
Which areas in Delhi-NCR have the worst air quality right now?
As of 6 October, Ghaziabad's Sanjay Nagar recorded the highest AQI at 322 ('very poor'), followed by Wave City at 305. In Delhi, Mundka led with an AQI of 280, while Narela and Okhla Phase 2 also crossed 200.
Will the rain improve Delhi's air quality?
Rain is expected to partially scrub pollutants from the air in the short term, according to the IMD. However, experts warn that if wind speeds drop after the showers, pollutants could re-accumulate rapidly, reversing the improvement.
What is the AQI situation in Noida?
In Noida, Sector 116 recorded the highest AQI at 267 ('poor'), while Sector 62 was at 185. Sectors 125 and 1 posted readings of 136 and 137, respectively, in the 'moderate' range.
Why does Delhi-NCR pollution spike in October?
October marks the onset of the stubble-burning season in Punjab and Haryana, when farmers burn paddy residue post-harvest. Combined with falling wind speeds and cooler temperatures that trap pollutants closer to the surface, this annually pushes NCR air quality into 'poor' and 'very poor' territory.
