📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha
Weather
Rainfall in Delhi-NCR amid Cyclone Arnab and Western Disturbance fails to ease pollution
✍️ Amar Ujala · Delhi
🗓 29 Oct 2026, 09:37 PM
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An overnight downpour hit Delhi-NCR as Cyclone Arnab churned in the Bay of Bengal and a western disturbance moved across northern India, yet air‑quality indices remained poor.
Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region experienced measurable rainfall during the night, a development linked to the active Cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal and a concurrent western disturbance affecting northern India. Meteorological agencies reported intermittent showers accompanied by gusty winds that reached speeds of up to 40 km/h in some parts of the city.
Despite the precipitation, the region's air‑quality monitors recorded only marginal changes in pollutant concentrations. The National Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stayed in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ range, with PM2.5 levels remaining well above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Experts explained that while rain can temporarily wash out airborne particles, the sheer volume of emissions from traffic, construction and industrial sources, combined with stagnant atmospheric conditions, limited the cleansing effect. Officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee said that a sustained reduction in pollution will require longer‑term measures beyond occasional weather events.
The weather bureau warned that further showers are possible as the western disturbance persists, but cautioned that any relief to the smog problem is likely to be short‑lived unless emission controls are strengthened.
Despite the precipitation, the region's air‑quality monitors recorded only marginal changes in pollutant concentrations. The National Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stayed in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ range, with PM2.5 levels remaining well above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Experts explained that while rain can temporarily wash out airborne particles, the sheer volume of emissions from traffic, construction and industrial sources, combined with stagnant atmospheric conditions, limited the cleansing effect. Officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee said that a sustained reduction in pollution will require longer‑term measures beyond occasional weather events.
The weather bureau warned that further showers are possible as the western disturbance persists, but cautioned that any relief to the smog problem is likely to be short‑lived unless emission controls are strengthened.