Just ahead of the Diwali festival, the weather across India is undergoing significant changes. From the hills to the plains, rapid shifts are being observed, giving people a mixed feeling of heat during the day and a chill in the mornings and evenings. While the mild cold is increasing, so is the problem of pollution in some areas, while rain continues in the southern and western parts of the country despite the retreat of the monsoon. The weather department has issued a heavy rainfall alert for several states.
The capital Delhi and the surrounding NCR region are gradually getting cooler. A slight chill is felt in the mornings and evenings, though the afternoon sun still brings a feeling of warmth. The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to be around $33^\circ\text{C}$ and the minimum around $18^\circ\text{C}$. No major change in weather is likely until Diwali. A cause for concern is that as the cold increases, the air pollution level is also becoming dangerous. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Noida was recorded at 201, while in Delhi, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, this figure has also crossed 200, which falls into the 'Poor' category.
The weather remains dry in both parts of Uttar Pradesh. Temperatures in Lucknow and other cities of the state are below normal. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the cold sensation will increase during morning and night in the coming days, but the sun will also shine in the afternoon. No major change in temperature is expected here. In Uttarakhand, the weather is clear but the cold has increased. Light rain in the hilly areas and snowfall in the higher altitudes have led to a drop in temperature, which has also increased the cold in the plains. Bihar has also experienced the onset of mild cold, with a continuous drop in temperature. However, no significant drop in maximum and minimum temperatures is expected for the next three to four days. Severe winter is predicted to begin here from November.
While the cold is increasing in North India, an alert for rain has been issued for the western and southern parts of the country. A Yellow Alert for rain has been issued for Mumbai today, October 17. Additionally, the Goa and Konkan region is also likely to experience thunderstorms and rain today, which may provide relief from the heat. According to the weather department, there is a strong possibility of heavy rain in Tamil Nadu until October 20, and in Kerala and Mahe until October 21. People are advised to remain vigilant regarding this change in the weather.
