Story by Harshit Uttam I Updated : 28 January 2026
Delhi witnessed a spell of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday, marking the highest January rainfall in four years. While the downpour altered the city’s weather and brought a sharp chill, it failed to improve pollution levels, leaving residents grappling with unsafe air quality.
January rainfall hits 4-year high
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Delhi recorded its highest January rainfall since 2022, with total precipitation reaching 24 mm. This includes 4.2 mm of rain at the Safdarjung base station on Tuesday, following a heavy 19.8 mm downpour on January 23. For comparison, January 8, 2022, still holds the record with 40.6 mm of rainfall.
Temperatures tank across the capital
The rain caused a sharp drop in temperatures, making the city feel much colder.
Maximum Temperature: Settled at 16.9°C, which is 5.2 degrees below the seasonal average.
Minimum Temperature: Recorded at 8.0°C.
While the IMD noted that conditions nearly met the requirements for an official “Cold Day,” the expected rise in temperatures over the next 24 hours prevented an official declaration. Various weather stations, including Palam, Ridge, Lodhi Road, and Ayanagar, reported different levels of rainfall throughout the day.
The paradox: Rain fails to wash away pollution
In a surprising twist, the heavy rain did not clear the air in the city. Instead, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) fell deeper into the ‘Very Poor’ category.
City-wide average AQI: 336
Worst affected area: Wazirpur, which reached a “severe” level of 421.
Experts said that high humidity and low wind speeds after the rain trapped pollutants close to the ground, stopping the air from clearing up.
Alerts and forecasts: What lies ahead
The IMD had initially issued a red alert but later downgraded it to yellow. They predict that the damp conditions will continue.
Wednesday forecast: Temperatures are expected to stay between a low of 12°C and a high of 18°C.
Pollution outlook: Air quality will likely remain in the ‘Very Poor’ range for the next few days, posing ongoing health risks to residents.
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