Delhi Records Coldest October Day in Four Years as Cyclone Arnab's Remnants Bring Rain to Northern India

According to reports citing the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and official updates, Delhi recorded its lowest maximum temperature for an October day in four years on Thursday, dropping to 25.4 degrees Celsius following the weakening of Cyclone Arnab. The weather system brought cooler conditions, rain, and thunderstorms across several northern and eastern states.

Temperature Drops Across Northern States

• Delhi: The Safdarjung weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius, which is 5.6 degrees below normal and the lowest since October 8, 2022.
• Haryana: Karnal registered a sharp fall with a maximum of 20.6 degrees Celsius (nine degrees below normal), while Ambala, Narnaul, Rohtak, and Bhiwani also reported significant negative temperature departures.
• Punjab: Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Pathankot, Bathinda, and Faridkot recorded daytime temperatures ranging between 27.4 and 34.9 degrees Celsius.
• Uttar Pradesh: The weather office in Lucknow forecast a 5 to 8 degrees Celsius drop in maximum temperatures on October 29 and 30, with thunderstorms and strong winds anticipated in districts such as Lucknow, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, and Amethi.

Weather System Movement and Regional Impacts

According to the IMD, the remnant weather system of Cyclone Arnab weakened into a depression over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha on Thursday morning, with further weakening expected.

• Himachal Pradesh: Isolated light rain, thunderstorms, and lightning were reported in locations including Shimla, Kangra, and Palampur, with Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti recording the state's lowest minimum temperature at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius.
• Rajasthan: A fresh western disturbance brought rain and strong winds to parts of eastern Rajasthan, with moderate to heavy rain forecast for the Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions.
• Jharkhand and West Bengal: Heavy rainfall was reported in districts including East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Ranchi. Schools in several Jharkhand districts were reported closed on October 28 and 29.

Odisha Relief Operations

In Odisha, Chief Secretary Anu Garg stated that approximately 300 villages in Ganjam district were affected by floods, with 70 cut off. The state government deployed 79 response teams, and the Indian Coast Guard commenced airlifting stranded individuals in coordination with the Union Home Ministry.

Readers can verify local weather warnings and updates by checking official advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department or respective state disaster management authorities.