Parts of Delhi and adjoining cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced surprise rainfall early Friday morning amid ongoing cold wave conditions. The unexpected showers came despite no prior rainfall forecast for the capital and nearby areas, which have been grappling with dense fog and biting cold.

Following the rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted light to moderate rain across Delhi and parts of Haryana and Rajasthan over the next two hours, with temperatures expected to fall further. The showers are also likely to bring some relief by improving the Air Quality Index (AQI), which has remained in the poor to very poor category across the region.

In its 6:30 am update, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi, said light rainfall was expected in areas such as Preet Vihar, ITO, India Gate, Akshardham, Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, RK Puram and Defence Colony. Intermittent drizzle was also forecast for isolated locations including Mundka, Paschim Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Rajiv Chowk, Dwarka, Delhi Cantt and IGI Airport.

Rainfall was further predicted in NCR cities including Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh, Sohna, Palwal and Tizara. Other areas such as Bahadurgarh, Karnal, Panipat, Gohana, Rohtak, Rewari, Nandgaon, Khairthal and Kotputli were also likely to receive light rain in the coming hours.