Heat, humidity grip Delhi-NCR as monsoon stalls, AQI drops to 'moderate'

Maximum temperatures touch 36 degrees Celsius in the national capital; Lucknow shuts schools due to heavy rain as North India continues to witness monsoon mayhem

The monsoon has once again lost momentum in Delhi-NCR, bringing in a spell of intense heat and humidity, reminding the residents of peak summer. The summer sun, coupled with humid conditions, has left residents struggling as daytime temperatures soar and respite remains out of reach.

 

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the present weather pattern is expected to persist for the next two to three days. Despite intermittent cloud cover and conditions that appear favourable for rain, the region has seen almost no precipitation. Over the past 24 hours, maximum temperatures across Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Greater Noida have hovered between 35 and 36 degrees Celsius. The IMD has not forecast any significant change in this trend in the immediate future. 

Today’s weather forecast for Delhi

On Friday, Delhi is set to witness a partly cloudy sky, with a possibility of developments of thunderstorms in the evening or night hours. Very light to light rain may follow. Minimum temperatures range from 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius, one to three degrees above normal. South-westerly winds are to prevail in the region, blowing at speeds of up to 22 kmph, gusting up to 30 kmph.

Delhi’s air quality in ‘moderate’ category

Adding to the discomfort, the city’s air quality dipped to the ‘moderate’ category on Friday morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 10 am by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), stood at 114. The CPCB classifies AQI levels between 101 and 200 as ‘moderate’, indicating potential respiratory discomfort for sensitive groups.

Lucknow shuts schools amid waterlogging

While Delhi faces rising heat, other parts of northern India are grappling with excess rainfall. In Lucknow, all government, government-aided, and private schools from pre-primary to Class 8 are to remain closed on August 8, following heavy rainfall and widespread waterlogging. The closure order, issued by the District Magistrate, covers institutions affiliated with all education boards in both urban and rural areas of the district. 

 

Officials cited the continuing rain and a warning from the IMD forecasting further downpours as the basis for the precautionary measure. Several neighbourhoods in the city reported severe waterlogging. Similar conditions were witnessed in other parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi, where rising water levels in the River Ganga led to the inundation of residential areas.

Monsoon havoc continues in Himachal

In Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon has taken a tragic toll, claiming 202 lives since June 20, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Of these, 108 fatalities resulted from weather-related disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 94 deaths were linked to road accidents.

 

The relentless rains have also caused extensive damage to the state's infrastructure. As per the latest update from the SEOC, 452 roads—including two National Highways—remain blocked. In addition, 861 power distribution transformers and 244 water supply schemes are currently disrupted.

 

Districts including Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra have reported widespread destruction to homes, public utilities, roads, and crops. Mandi, the worst-affected district, has recorded 42 rain-related deaths. Since the onset of the monsoon, Himachal Pradesh has experienced 51 landslides, 58 flash floods, and 30 cloudbursts. Rescue and relief operations continue, with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and local authorities.