Several areas in Delhi-NCR, including Noida and Gurugram, experienced light rain on Sunday, December 8. The showers brought temporary relief from pollution but failed to improve air quality significantly. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘very poor’ category at 302, after briefly improving to ‘moderate’ earlier in December.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), drizzle is likely in parts of Delhi, such as Vasant Kunj, Kalkaji, and Mehrauli, with NCR regions like Manesar and Farukhnagar expecting light rainfall on Monday evening. The IMD also forecast fog for Monday.
IMD scientist Naresh Kumar attributed the rain to a western disturbance over central Pakistan. He said light to moderate rainfall is likely in the Himalayas, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. He also predicted a slight rise in temperatures on December 8, followed by a drop after December 9, with cold wave conditions expected to hit Rajasthan first and then spread to Punjab and Haryana.
Despite the rainfall, Delhi’s air quality remained poor. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines AQI between 301 and 400 as ‘very poor,’ which poses health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.
Experts noted that outdated data and emissions inventory affected pollution control measures. An official from the Commission for Air Quality Management stated that a review of the air quality monitoring system revealed inaccuracies and the use of obsolete data.
As temperatures drop and cold wave conditions intensify, pollution levels could worsen, underscoring the urgent need for robust pollution management strategies.
