Dense fog engulfs DelhiNCR; IMD forecasts more rain

NEW DELHI: Dense fog enveloped parts of the national capital on Saturday morning following rainfall the previous evening. Similar conditions were reported in Ghaziabad and Noida, where a light layer of fog hovered over the cities.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of rain on March 23.

While temperatures are expected to rise gradually from Saturday, the maximum temperature is likely to hover between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. According to the IMD’s early warning system, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is also expected to remain in the ‘moderate’ category.

The sudden shift in weather began around March 18, when moisture-laden winds, coupled with high temperatures, led to the formation of convective clouds. These clouds later interacted with an active western disturbance, triggering widespread rainfall across Delhi-NCR.

As a result, the city experienced a sharp drop in temperature, with continuous rain since Wednesday evening bringing a noticeable chill.

On Friday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 21.7 degrees Celsius—around 10 notches below normal and significantly lower than 26.8 degrees Celsius a day earlier. This also marked the lowest maximum temperature recorded in March in six years, comparable to March 8, 2020, when the temperature stood at 21.2 degrees Celsius.

Rain and thunderstorms lashed several parts of North India on Friday, prolonging the cooling effect in Delhi and prompting residents to switch off air conditioners. However, the impact is expected to be temporary, with temperatures likely to rise and conditions gradually returning to normal in the coming days.

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