Continuous rainfall since Friday morning has caused severe waterlogging and traffic congestion in various parts of Delhi, affecting daily commutes and disrupting city life.
Visuals from areas such as Burari show significant water accumulation, worsening traffic conditions as rain continues to lash the national capital.
Weather Updates
- Temperature: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 12°C and a maximum of 19°C.
- Forecast: Thunderstorms accompanied by rain are expected throughout the day, as per the IMD.
Local resident Deepak Pandey described the weather as refreshing despite the disruptions, saying, “The weather has become good and it feels like Kashmir. The rain has decreased the level of pollution.”
Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’
Despite the rain, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) continues to fall under the ‘very poor’ category, with a slight improvement observed in some areas.
- Current AQI Levels (as of 2 PM):
- Anand Vihar: 390
- IGI Airport (T3): 314
- Aya Nagar: 329
- Lodhi Road: 327
- ITO: 360
- Chandni Chowk: 300
- Punjabi Bagh: 361
For comparison, AQI levels earlier in the day (7 AM) were slightly higher, with Anand Vihar at 398 and Punjabi Bagh at 386.
GRAP Measures Adjusted
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage IV (‘Severe+’) measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on December 24, citing improved air quality.
- Stages I, II, and III measures remain in effect to prevent further deterioration.
- The improvement is attributed to favourable meteorological conditions, including better wind speeds.