NEW DELHI: Delhi-NCR witnessed rain on Tuesday morning, accompanied by a yellow alert for thunderstorms issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).Temperatures are expected to dip, with the minimum around 8°C and the maximum likely reaching 19°C. While the showers provided some relief, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi stood at 294 classified as “poor” at 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Visuals from India Gate and Kartavya Path showed haze settling over central Delhi even as rain fell intermittently. Similar conditions were reported near the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Pandav Nagar, where smog persisted in the early hours despite showers.CPCB data showed the AQI near India Gate at 240, categorized as “poor,” while Pandav Nagar recorded 362, placing it in the “very poor” range.Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rain or thundershowers with strong gusty winds throughout the day and has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms in the region. Thunderstorms with lightning and winds reaching 30-40 kmph are expected in the morning, forenoon, afternoon, evening, and night. Temperatures are likely to range between 19°C and 9°C.High AQI readings continued at multiple monitoring stations: Anand Vihar at 362, Ashok Vihar 348, Bawana 340, Burari 309, Chandni Chowk 319, Dwarka Sector 8 312, ITO 312, Mundka 314, Okhla Phase-2 325, Rohini 359, Punjabi Bagh 337, Wazirpur 363, Narela 286, Alipur 289, and RK Puram 317.In view of improving air quality trends and the ongoing rains, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. However, authorities have urged citizens to continue following the Stage I and II measures to prevent a deterioration of AQI levels, especially during the winter season when weather conditions can remain unpredictable.For reference, AQI classifications are: 0–50 ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.
