More Rain In Delhi As IMD Issues Yellow Alert, Pre-Monsoon Showers Improve AQI

The IMD issued a yellow alert for Delhi on June 19, forecasting light rain and thunderstorms until June 24.

Delhi's air quality significantly improved, reaching a "Satisfactory" AQI of 81, the best in 261 days, due to changing weather patterns.

Source : PTI

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Thursday, following an orange alert a day earlier. The forecast from June 18 to June 24 suggests continued overcast skies, with the likelihood of light to moderate rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning.

On June 19, the temperature is expected to range between a high of 34 degrees Celsius and a low of 23 degrees Celsius, with a chance of light rain during the evening.

As per the weather department, the national capital will have generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain and thunderstorm.  

What to Expect in the Coming Days

• June 20: Delhi may see a high of 36°C and a low of 28°C. Thunderstorms, lightning, and winds blowing at 30-40 km/h are expected in the evening and night.
• June 21: The temperature could rise to 37°C, but relief is likely due to scattered light rain and cloudy skies. The IMD also warned of possible lightning strikes in some areas.

Air Quality Improves 

Residents of Delhi and the broader NCR region can look forward to pleasant weather in the coming days, with a significant improvement in air quality bringing relief to the capital on Wednesday. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of just 81 — the cleanest air the city has seen in the past 261 days.

The improvement in air quality has been attributed to recent changes in weather patterns. The last time Delhi experienced such clean air was on September 29, 2024, when the AQI was recorded at 76, falling under the "Satisfactory" category.

As per CPCB guidelines, an AQI between 0-50 is considered “Good”; 51-100 is “Satisfactory”; 101-200 is “Moderate”; 201-300 is “Poor”; 301-400 is “Very Poor”; and 401-500 is “Severe”.

On Wednesday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average. Relative humidity was measured at 94 per cent at 5:30 PM, contributing to the overall improvement in air quality.