Delhi-NCR braces for heavy rain ahead of I-Day; air quality remains in poor category

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Delhi-NCR is expected to witness widespread rainfall on Friday as favourable monsoon conditions, coupled with a developing weather system over eastern India, continue to influence the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted intermittent to heavy showers, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, over the next several days.

According to the IMD, rain activity is likely to remain widespread across Delhi, Haryana and Punjab on August 14, with wet weather conditions expected to continue until at least August 19. Meteorologists have attributed the forecast to an active monsoon trough passing close to the National Capital Region, creating conditions conducive to persistent rainfall.

The trough currently extends from Rajasthan through Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and its movement is expected to generate repeated spells of rain over Delhi-NCR. In addition, a low-pressure system located near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast is projected to alter wind patterns across the Gangetic plains over the next 24 to 36 hours, further strengthening rainfall activity in northern India.

Weather conditions on Independence Day are also expected to remain cloudy. During the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort on August 15, skies are likely to range from partly cloudy to overcast, with the possibility of light rain or brief showers in some areas. However, forecasters do not anticipate any major disruption to official celebrations.

Officials noted that similar weather conditions were observed around Independence Day last year, when heavy rainfall was recorded on August 14 but conditions improved in time for the national event the following morning.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the “poor” category, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 264. Several monitoring stations reported AQI levels in the satisfactory to moderate range, including Punjabi Bagh (109), Pusa (128), Chandni Chowk (124), IIT Delhi (122), Rohini (118), Alipur (104), DTU (97), Patparganj (96), JNU (79), Commonwealth Sports Complex (79), Mandir Marg (77), Shadipur (62) and NSIT Dwarka (56).

--IANS

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