The air quality in the national capital has improved significantly after rains lashed the city in the last 24 hours, with the air quality index recorded at 242 at 10 am on Saturday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Sudden changes in weather and unexpected drought provided some relief from pollution.
Following Friday’s rain, dense fog blanketed the national capital and surrounding areas in the morning, and parts of Delhi-NCR witnessed dense fog.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi-NCR on Saturday will be generally cloudy with moderate fog in the morning and strong surface winds (10-20 kmph).
The minimum temperature is likely to drop by 5-6 degrees Celsius in the next three days, after which it will increase. As a result, the minimum temperature during the next three days is likely to be normal (-1.5°C to 1.5°C), while on January 27 and 29, it will be above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C).
Temperatures on 23 and 24 January 2026 are expected to be much below normal (-3.1 °C to -5.0 °C). 25 and 26 January 2026 will be partly cloudy, and 23, 24, 27 and 29 January will be generally cloudy with light to moderate fog in the morning for the next 6 days.
According to the AQI classification, readings between 0 to 50 are considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) canceled all Phase III actions implemented in Delhi-NCR from January 22 with immediate effect in view of the improvement and forecast trends in air quality.