# Delhi-NCR rain and hailstorm bring relief, AQI drops to 191 2026-10-25T06:56:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Rain and hailstorms swept Delhi-NCR early on Sunday, 25 October, bringing relief from the recent warm spell and improving air quality. The IMD has forecast cooler conditions for the region. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 191 on Saturday, 24 October, down from 230 the previous day, placing it in the 'moderate' category. The reading was the lowest recorded for 24 October in a decade, excluding the Covid-19 period, according to the Delhi government's environment department. The weather outlook remains unsettled in parts of southern and eastern India, where the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds. The improvement in air quality is expected to be temporary, depending on changing weather conditions and pollution sources. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The rain has delivered a sharp but likely brief reprieve from Delhi's worsening winter pollution. The AQI of 191 is the lowest for this date in a decade outside the pandemic years, but the improvement hinges on sustained weather patterns and continued emission controls. The IMD's forecast of unsettled weather in southern and eastern states, including Tamil Nadu and Bihar, means the same system that cleared Delhi's air could bring disruption elsewhere. The next few days will show whether the gains hold or reverse as conditions stabilise. ## Coverage - nationalheraldindia.com Straight agency-style reporting of IMD and government data without editorial framing. This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Air Quality Index, Delhi, hailstorm, IMD, ncr, Rain Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-ncr-rain-and-hailstorm-bring-relief-aqi-drops-to-191/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-ncr-rain-and-hailstorm-bring-relief-aqi-drops-to-191/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/