The IMD bulletin released at 8 am on Friday shows a shift from the wet spell that began Wednesday, with Delhi expected to see partly cloudy skies on Saturday, Oct 17, and a temperature swing from a low of 21 °C to a high of 32 °C. The forecast comes after the Safdarjung weather station logged 15.9 mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 8:30 am on Oct 16, the heaviest drop in the city since the start of the monsoon season.
But the relief is short‑lived for many residents. Ritu Patel, a schoolteacher in Noida, had planned a family outing for the weekend; the sudden drop in humidity and the promise of clearer skies give her a chance to reschedule. Her hope mirrors that of thousands across the NCR, where the humid, rain‑laden days have made commuting a chore.
Meanwhile, the IMD’s all‑India bulletin warns that southern states will not share the same reprieve. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, and interior Karnataka are slated for heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday, with gusty winds of 40–50 km/h expected in isolated pockets of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Thunderstorms and lightning are also on the cards, adding to the region’s already volatile weather pattern.
In the north, the outlook is comparatively calm. Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir may see isolated showers on Saturday, but Delhi, Haryana, and the rest of the NCR should stay dry. The IMD will update the forecast nightly, so residents and planners are advised to keep a close eye on the next bulletin for any sudden changes.