The first day of 2026 brought unusual weather to India’s two megacities. While Delhi was engulfed in dust and fog, Mumbai experienced unexpected rain early Thursday morning, leaving environmental scientists surprised by the whimsical behaviour of nature.
Delhi shrouded in pollution and cold
From the early hours of the New Year, Delhi was covered in a thick blanket of fog and dust. On Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital was recorded at 371. From India Gate to Kartavya Path, dense fog cast the gloom of night even during daylight.
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The capital was also gripped by bone-chilling cold. According to the weather department, Wednesday marked Delhi’s coldest December day in the past six years, with a maximum temperature of around 14°C, nearly 6°C below normal. Authorities have forecast that temperatures in Delhi could drop further from January 3.
Mumbai sees untimely rain
Meanwhile, Mumbai, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, was hit by unexpected rainfall on Thursday morning. Several areas received showers, ranging from drizzle to heavy downpour, with the Island City recording the highest rainfall. The sudden rain caused inconvenience to pedestrians, though it lasted only 15–20 minutes.
