Weather conditions in many parts of the country are set to change again. Some areas are expected to experience heavy rain and stormy winds, while others feel the approach of cold weather against the backdrop of rising air pollution, which is causing concern among the public.
Cyclonic circulation active over the Andaman Sea indicates the possible development of a new weather system in the Bay of Bengal. According to meteorological department warnings, rain and strong winds may affect regions from Tamil Nadu to many North Indian states on October 23. Meanwhile, air quality in Delhi-NCR has reached the poor category.
Weather phenomena around the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea are intensifying. According to IMD, cyclonic circulation was active over the North Andaman Sea on the morning of October 22 and is likely to move in a northwest direction. As a result, this system may lead to the development of a low-pressure area in the southeastern and adjacent east-central part of the Bay of Bengal around October 23. This system has the potential to intensify as it moves.
IMD notes that there is a possibility of cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal between October and December. Warm sea water and favorable atmospheric conditions can lend strength to the seasonal system. However, it is not yet possible to definitively say whether the existing weather system will take the form of a tropical cyclone. A clear picture of the trajectory, intensity, and potential impact on the coasts of India will become clear in the coming days.
Against the backdrop of the withdrawal of monsoons from North India and the onset of winter, pollution levels in Delhi and its surroundings have increased. In the capital city, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was 287 on Friday morning, which falls into the critical category. The sky was covered with a haze of smog in the morning, leading to reduced visibility. The air in Delhi-NCR remains suffocating.
According to the air quality early warning system forecasts, an improvement in air quality in the coming days is unlikely. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Phase I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures include a ban on construction and demolition activities to prevent dust pollution. A ban has also been imposed on the use of coal or wood in hotels, restaurants, and street stalls in Delhi-NCR, as well as on diesel generators. Water sprinkling and dust removal using vacuum machines are being carried out on the streets. Furthermore, vehicles below BS-VI standards will not be allowed entry into Delhi starting November 1.
The meteorological department predicts heavy or very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on October 23. Signs of weather change are also observed in North India. The rain warning extends to states such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. Strong gusts of wind up to 75 kilometers per hour are expected under thunderstorm clouds in some areas. Light or moderate rain is also possible in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Telangana, although the intensity and impact of the rain may vary across different regions.
Rain with thunderstorms and surface winds are expected in Delhi-NCR on October 23. This weather change may cause temperature fluctuations. The maximum temperature in Delhi is forecasted to be around 31 degrees, and the minimum at 19 degrees Celsius. Even light rain can help reduce pollution levels. Light or moderate rain is possible in several areas of Uttar Pradesh. Warnings of rain and storms have been issued in places like East Champaran, West Champaran, Gaya, Patna, and Muzaffarpur in Bihar. Regarding the hilly states, heavy rains and winds of 60-65 kilometers per hour are expected in areas like Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar, and Chamoli in Uttarakhand. Rain and strong winds are also forecast in Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. The region of Jammu and Kashmir may also experience the effects of rain and storms.