At around noon, New Delhi looked nothing like a bustling daytime metropolis. Thick clouds, gusty winds and persistent rain plunged the city into near darkness, making the afternoon feel more like a cold winter evening.
Skylines of Noida and Gurugram, usually dominated by towering skyscrapers, appeared almost erased as fog and low-hanging clouds reduced visibility. The cityscape turned grey and blurry, as if viewed through a low-resolution lens.
Intermittent thunderstorms, lightning and light to moderate rainfall were reported across several parts of the national capital. The sudden spell led to a sharp dip in temperature, reviving winter-like chills and keeping roads unusually deserted.
🌩️ IMD Weather Warning
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the abrupt weather change has been triggered by a western disturbance.
Rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected over:
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Delhi
- West Uttar Pradesh
- North Rajasthan
The weather alert has been downgraded from orange to yellow, indicating reduced severity but continued caution.
🌬️ Air Quality Shows Slight Improvement
The showers brought temporary relief to air pollution levels. Delhi’s AQI stood at 293 (poor category), improving from 313 recorded a day earlier, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
- 23 stations: Very Poor
- 15 stations: Poor
- 1 station: Moderate
❄️ Fresh Snowfall in Kashmir & Himachal
While Delhi battled gloom, higher regions celebrated snowfall.
The ski resort town of Gulmarg and several areas of the Kashmir Valley received fresh snow, accompanied by strong winds in Srinagar and nearby plains.
In Manali, snowfall blanketed the town in white, bringing cheer to tourists and locals alike.
