By SarhindTimes Weather & Environment Desk | New Delhi
Date: October 8, 2025
A spell of unseasonal October rain — courtesy an active Western Disturbance — swept through the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday, disrupting flights and slowing traffic but also briefly scrubbing Delhi’s smog-choked skies.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported light-to-moderate rainfall across most zones, with Safdarjung recording nearly 27 mm, while Palam and Ridge logged higher totals. The afternoon saw 15 flight diversions and over 100 delays, yet residents found relief in clearer air and a rare drop in temperatures.
1. A City Caught Between Relief and Delay
Around 2 p.m. Tuesday, dark cumulonimbus clouds gathered over southwest Delhi as gusty winds ushered in the first phase of rain.
By 4 p.m., visibility at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport dropped below 800 meters, forcing flight diversions to Jaipur, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.
“The visibility plunged sharply within minutes, especially near Palam runway. Operations resumed gradually after 5 p.m. once the showers eased,”
said an airport official from Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL).
Passengers waiting for connecting flights complained of poor communication and overcrowded lounges. Airlines issued advisories urging travelers to check real-time flight status during adverse weather windows.
Despite disruptions, many commuters welcomed the downpour as a welcome cleanser in a city notorious for post-monsoon haze.
2. IMD: Two Phases of Rain, Temporary Relief
According to the IMD’s regional office, Delhi witnessed rainfall in two distinct phases — first between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and later another brief spell around 9:30 p.m..
Senior IMD scientist R.K. Jenamani confirmed:
“The system originated from a strong western disturbance interacting with easterly winds. It’s the same trough line that drenched parts of Rajasthan and Haryana earlier this week.”
- Safdarjung: 27 mm
- Palam: 31 mm
- Ridge: 33 mm
- Ayanagar: 25 mm
- Lodhi Road: 22 mm
The rain lowered maximum temperature to 29.8°C, about 3°C below normal, marking one of the coolest October afternoons in recent years. Minimum temperature hovered around 22°C.
3. AQI Slides from 105 to 73 — A Short-Lived Gift
Perhaps the biggest takeaway was the improvement in Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI).
From a moderate 105 on Monday, the city’s AQI dipped to 73 (satisfactory) by Tuesday evening, thanks to washout effects from rain and enhanced wind speed (~15 km/h).
Pollution-watch app SAFAR attributed the decline to “surface cleaning of particulate matter” and said the benefit would likely fade within 48 hours once rainfall stops and wind stagnates.
“The respite is temporary. As humidity increases post-rain and stubble burning begins in Punjab–Haryana, AQI will climb back to moderate or poor levels by Friday,”
warned Dr. Gufran Beig, founder-project director, SAFAR.
Still, for residents, the brief clarity was palpable — Delhi’s skyline looked sharper, and the faint smell of petrichor replaced acrid smoke.
4. What Triggered the Western Disturbance
Western disturbances — extra-tropical weather systems originating in the Mediterranean region — typically bring winter rain to northwestern India.
However, this October’s event was unseasonally intense, influenced by an upper air cyclonic circulation and prolonged moisture feed from the Arabian Sea.
According to IMD’s synoptic analysis:
- The trough extended from Pakistan through Haryana into Uttar Pradesh.
- Jet stream patterns aided convective build-up over NCR.
- Satellite imagery showed heavy moisture accumulation from 10 a.m. Tuesday.
This convergence produced “patchy but potent” rainfall across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad.
5. The Disruption at IGI Airport
The 15 flight diversions reported were largely between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., when visibility plunged below category I Instrument Landing minima.
Breakdown:
- Jaipur: 8 diversions
- Lucknow: 4
- Ahmedabad: 3
More than 120 flights were delayed, including major carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and SpiceJet. Cargo operations were also briefly suspended.
“Our runway lighting worked fine, but low visibility on taxiways forced precautionary suspensions,”
said an air-traffic controller on duty.
Railway and metro networks ran smoothly, though surface traffic slowed as puddles formed at Dhaula Kuan, Moolchand, and Ring Road underpasses.
6. Urban Planning & Waterlogging Woes
While the rain brought relief, it also exposed persistent drainage bottlenecks in several low-lying zones.
In Lajpat Nagar, Malviya Nagar, and Dwarka Sector 21, commuters reported knee-deep water lasting for hours after the shower ended.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) deployed emergency teams, but planners acknowledged that “retrofit drainage capacity remains inadequate.”
Urban infrastructure expert K.T. Ravindran commented:
“Each rain spell acts as a stress test. Delhi needs micro-drainage redesign — not annual patchwork. Western disturbances will recur, and climate variability is intensifying.”
7. Climate Trend: More Autumn Rains, Less Predictability
Meteorologists note a pattern of increasingly erratic pre-winter rainfall over northern India.
In the last decade, Delhi has recorded rainfall in October on seven occasions, compared to just three instances in the 1990s.
The reasons:
- Stronger La Niña–El Niño oscillations;
- Warmer Arabian Sea surface temperatures;
- Interaction of mid-latitude westerlies with tropical easterlies.
“Climate models show a rising trend of October precipitation events,” said IMD’s Dr. Naresh Kumar. “These cause localized flooding, but also delay the onset of winter smog — a double-edged sword.”
8. Public Response: Mixed But Hopeful
For citizens weary of dust and diesel haze, the drizzle was a small victory.
Social media flooded with posts showing rain-slicked Connaught Place, glistening trees, and selfies captioned “Finally, we can breathe.”
However, for daily wage workers and cab drivers, delays meant lost income. “I waited 3 hours for a fare at Terminal 3,” said Ramesh Kumar, an app-based cabbie. “But it’s okay — at least the air feels cleaner.”
Local markets saw brisk business in tea stalls and rain-gear shops, while street vendors hurriedly covered wares with plastic sheets.
9. AQI Improvement: Scientific Breakdown
The rain cleansed the atmosphere through two mechanisms:
- Wet deposition: Rain droplets absorbed airborne PM2.5 and PM10 particles, pulling them to the surface.
- Enhanced vertical mixing: Gusty winds improved dispersion by breaking surface inversion layers.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noted PM2.5 concentrations fell from 72 µg/m³ on Monday to 41 µg/m³ Tuesday evening.
However, NO₂ and CO levels remained unchanged due to traffic congestion during showers.
“Without consistent winds and emissions control, this gain will dissipate quickly,” said Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
10. The Next Forecast: Dry, Hotter Days Ahead
IMD forecasts dry weather from Wednesday onward with gradual warming.
- Max temp: likely to rise to 35°C by October 13
- Min temp: near 21°C
- Wind direction: shifting northwesterly by Thursday
“Rain will taper off completely by Wednesday afternoon,” said IMD’s Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC).
“However, humidity will stay high, making mornings muggy.”
11. Stubble Burning Looms Next
Meteorologists and air-quality scientists now turn attention to the next major variable — farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.
Satellite data already shows isolated fire points in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Sirsa.
As winds shift northwest, Delhi’s air could again trap particulate matter.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed states to intensify patrols and provide alternatives to residue burning.
“Every clean-air day counts,” said CAQM member Arun Goel. “Our goal is to sustain these gains through enforcement and awareness.”
12. Airports & Commuters: Lessons in Preparedness
Airlines have begun coordinating weather contingency drills with IGI’s Air Traffic Control to minimize diversions during future events.
“Automated weather alerts and pilot briefings will help us manage low-visibility operations better,” said a Vistara spokesperson.
The Delhi Traffic Police issued fresh guidelines urging motorists to reduce speed, maintain distance, and avoid flooded underpasses.
13. Infrastructure & Storm-Water Lessons
City engineers stress that micro-drain mapping and real-time sensors could help anticipate waterlogging zones.
Pilot projects using IoT-linked manhole sensors in South Delhi have shown early promise.
Urban planners propose integrating rainwater harvesting and bio-swales into road designs to channel runoff effectively.
As Delhi aims for smart-city upgrades, sustainable water management remains key to resilience.
14. Editorial Perspective: Rain, Reform, and Responsibility
The rain may have cooled the air and cleared the skyline, but it also revealed Delhi’s duality — modern ambitions built on fragile infrastructure.
Every October shower turns into a stress test of systems — from air control to drainage. The respite in AQI is a reminder, not a reward.
Sustainable clean air demands policy enforcement, green transport, and urban foresight, not meteorological luck.
In a city preparing for another smog season, perhaps nature’s downpour is less a gift and more a gentle warning.
15. The Day in Numbers
| Parameter | Tuesday (Oct 7) | Monday (Oct 6) |
| Rainfall (Safdarjung) | 27 mm | Nil |
| Max Temperature | 29.8°C | 33.9°C |
| Min Temperature | 22.0°C | 21.5°C |
| AQI (City Avg.) | 73 (Satisfactory) | 105 (Moderate) |
| Flight Diversions | 15 | 0 |
| Flights Delayed | 120+ | 45 |
| #DelhiRains #IMD #AQI #Weather #NCR #Climate #Pollution #AirQuality #TravelAlert |
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