Delhi AQI Drops to 78 After Record October Rain
Delhi experienced a dramatic improvement in air quality following widespread rainfall on Friday, October 30, 2026, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) falling from 363 to 78 within 24 hours. The unseasonal showers also brought a sharp decline in temperatures, giving the national capital an early taste of winter and recording its wettest October day in four years.
Delhi AQI Falls From 363 to 78 After Heavy Rainfall
According to air quality monitoring data, Delhi’s AQI improved from the very poor category on Thursday morning to satisfactory levels on Friday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 61.4 mm of rainfall at Safdarjung during the 24-hour period ending Friday morning.
The showers helped wash airborne pollutants from the atmosphere, temporarily improving visibility and providing relief from the city’s persistent pollution.
Cyclone Arnab Remnants Trigger Unseasonal Delhi Rain
Meteorologists attributed the unusual weather to the interaction of three systems: a western disturbance over the Western Himalayas, a cyclonic circulation over southern Punjab and moisture-bearing winds associated with the remnants of Cyclone Arnab.
Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather Services, explained that the convergence of these systems produced widespread rainfall across Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states.
The rainfall also caused daytime temperatures to fall significantly, with Safdarjung recording a maximum of 25.4 degrees Celsius in an earlier observation, approximately 5.6 degrees below normal.
Delhi Pollution Could Return as Weather Clears
Weather experts warned that the improvement in air quality might be temporary.
As rainfall subsides and skies clear, pollutants could begin accumulating again, particularly if wind speeds decrease.
The IMD expects relatively dry weather across Delhi-NCR on October 31 and November 1, with daytime temperatures gradually rising towards 28 to 31 degrees Celsius in early November.
Pollution levels could deteriorate again approaching Diwali as atmospheric conditions become less favourable for dispersing pollutants.
