Cyclone Arnab and western disturbance bring rain and drop temperatures in Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR Weather

A western disturbance and cyclonic storm Arnab have caused heavy rain and strong cold winds across Delhi-NCR since Thursday morning, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures. Rainfall continued intermittently from Thursday evening through Friday morning, with western and central Delhi experiencing the heaviest downpours. Total rainfall in several areas is expected to cross 50 millimetres by Friday. Strong winds blew at speeds between 30 and 50 kilometres per hour, dropping Delhi's maximum temperature by 5.6 degrees below normal to 25.4 degrees Celsius, which is 6.4 degrees lower than the previous day. The minimum temperature was recorded at 19.1 degrees Celsius, and the India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for the national capital.

Impact on Karwa Chauth

The bad weather and thick cloud cover caused delays for women observing Karwa Chauth fasts in Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Faridabad, and Madhya Pradesh, as the moon remained hidden past its scheduled time. Many women used video calls to relatives in other cities to see the moon and break their fasts. Meanwhile, clear skies later allowed sightings in Guwahati and Mumbai, while long lines of vehicles formed on a flyover in Alwar, Rajasthan, for moon sightings.

Nationwide Weather Update

According to the India Meteorological Department, rainfall is expected across 25 states and 4 union territories, affecting northeastern India, eastern India, Uttar Pradesh, central India, and southern India. Bijnor in western Uttar Pradesh recorded 10 centimetres of rainfall. Bihar saw rain with potential waterlogging, while the IMD issued a low to moderate flash flood risk for catchment areas in East Champaran and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar until Friday morning. Delhi's sky will remain cloudy on Saturday with no rain forecast, and temperatures expected between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius, while eastern Rajasthan may see scattered rain.

Context

Sudden unseasonal rain events in October and November are typically triggered by active western disturbances interacting with low-pressure systems or cyclonic storms originating over nearby seas. These weather systems draw moisture from the ocean and push it across northern and central India, causing abrupt temperature drops and cloudy skies. Such sudden shifts often disrupt festive gatherings that rely on clear evening skies, while also providing much-needed moisture for winter crops.