Weather conditions shifted abruptly across the national capital and the surrounding NCR region on the morning of November 15. Several pockets of Delhi experienced light showers, while drizzle was also officially recorded in Noida and Greater Noida. For residents who have been enduring severe air pollution and toxic, choking air for the past several days, this sudden change in weather brings a much-needed wave of relief. Following the precipitation, dust and particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere are expected to settle down, which could potentially pull down the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) readings.
A Temporary Respite From Toxic Air
Over the preceding days, pollution levels across Delhi-NCR remained stuck in the very poor and, in several pockets, the severe category. In this grim scenario, the current spell of rain is being viewed as a brief respite from the choking smog. When rain falls, airborne pollutants present in the atmosphere are washed down and forced onto the ground, which can temporarily improve the overall quality of the air.
IMD Forecast And Temperature Range
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier forecasted that very light rain or drizzle would occur at isolated places across Delhi on November 15. According to meteorological updates, the sky over the capital is expected to remain generally cloudy throughout the day. The maximum temperature is predicted to hover between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is projected to settle in the 16 to 18 degrees Celsius bracket.
However, experts caution that this precipitation is not expected to completely eradicate the pollution crisis. The exact degree to which the AQI drops will ultimately depend on the total volume of rainfall, its duration, and the prevailing wind speed. Because of these varying factors, the relief brought on by this light drizzle could turn out to be strictly temporary.
