Delhi records highest October rainfall in four years

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday broke a four-year record for the highest rainfall in October. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Safdarjung observatory recorded 41.6 mm of rain within a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 AM, the highest such daily total for October since October 9, 2022.

The downpour led to a significant drop in temperatures across the capital. The minimum temperature at Safdarjung fell to 18.7 degrees Celsius, which is 2.3 degrees below normal, while Palam recorded a low of 17 degrees Celsius. This weather shift also improved air quality, moving Delhi's air into the ‘satisfactory’ category for the first time this month.

Localized flooding was reported in several areas, including Sainik Farm, Mahipalpur, RK Puram, and parts of Central and South-Eastern Delhi. The Delhi Traffic Police diverted traffic on Ansari Road between Dharampura and Iron Bridge due to waterlogging. Meteorological experts attributed the weather pattern to a combination of a western disturbance over northern Pakistan, cyclonic circulation over Haryana, and winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.