Rain

Delhi and NCR air quality remains very poor with an AQI of 311 after Diwali, limited by low wind and no rain. Industry urges focus on emissions and dust.

Delhi's air quality marginally improves but remains in the very poor range as no rain is forecast soon. Multiple pollution sources cause concern.

Superstar Rajinikanth greeted fans during Diwali and urged them to stay safe due to incoming rain.

The Delhi government has carried out two rounds of cloud seeding trials near the Indira Gandhi International Airport over the past fortnight to explore artificial rain as a solution for rising air pollution. Sources indicate the operations were conducted at an altitude of roughly 30,000 metres, significantly higher than last year's trials. The exercise involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide and sodium chloride to stimulate precipitation. More trials are expected after the Diwali and Chhath festivals, with official announcements likely deferred until the results prove successful.

Cyclone Murasu battered the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh after making landfall south of Ongole, bringing heavy rainfall and wind gusts of up to 120 kmph. In districts such as Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, and Guntur, severe winds uprooted trees and damaged electrical poles, blocking arterial roads. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force were deployed alongside emergency machinery to clear blockages and restore vital road and power connectivity. Support and machinery were also mobilised from neighbouring states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu actively reviewed the situation across affected districts with local collectors. Low-lying coastal regions remain at risk of inundation, prompting the evacuation of vulnerable residents to designated relief and rescue centres. Although the storm weakened into rain bands post-landfall, the India Meteorological Department warned that heavy rain would persist across multiple districts for the next 24 hours.

Operations across Andhra Pradesh have faced major disruptions as Cyclone Murzu approaches the coastline, bringing strong winds forecast to reach up to 120 kilometres per hour. At least 19 domestic flights, including Indigo and Air India Express services, were cancelled across Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports. Rail services across affected coastal stretches have also been suspended as a precautionary step. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the ground situation and has sought assistance and additional manpower from neighbouring states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka, to aid in post-landfall restoration work over the next 24 to 48 hours. Vulnerable coastal districts including Nellore, Ongole, and Bapatla remain on high alert with standard operating procedures activated. Authorities and emergency response machinery are focused on minimising losses to life and infrastructure, advising residents in low-lying areas to stay indoors and adhere to government safety guidelines.

After Cyclone Arnab, Andhra Pradesh is bracing for severe cyclonic storm Cyclone Murasu, which is expected to make landfall near Ongole district from midnight. The India Meteorological Department has warned of wind speeds up to 120 km/h, extremely heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding across districts including Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, and Guntur. Parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will also experience strong winds and rain, with an orange alert issued for Chennai and school holidays declared. Thousands have been evacuated from vulnerable low-lying coastal areas.

A political war of narratives has intensified between the INDIA alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party following the opposition rally at Ramlila Maidan. While the ground reports indicated the venue was filled to its capacity of roughly 75,000 people despite rain and sludge, the political battle extends beyond crowd numbers to optics and messaging. During the five-hour rally window permitted by Delhi Police, senior BJP leaders including the Union Home Minister, party president, Hardeep Puri, and key figures countered the opposition gathering by holding separate rallies, protests, and padayatras across the country.

Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu are on high alert as Cyclone Murzu approaches the coastline, marking the second cyclonic storm to hit the region within a single week following Cyclone Arnob. The severe cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapuram with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour. Rough seas and heavy rainfall have already been reported in Chennai and along coastal districts including Nellore. Authorities have declared holidays in Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur, while advising fishermen against venturing into the sea. District administrations across southern coastal Andhra Pradesh remain fully mobilised as the weather system advances.

Rain lashed Delhi, upsetting the INDIA bloc's arrangements to stage a public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's 10 Rajaji Marg residence. The downpour washed away sound and lighting systems on the lawns and drenched tables and tents, leaving the setup covered under waterproof sheets. Following the disruption, Rahul Gandhi addressed a joint press conference alongside allied leaders, announcing that the symbolic event has been delayed by 24 hours to Saturday noon. Leaders stressed that the mass outreach will take place ahead of their scheduled mega Ramlila Maidan march on November 1.

All six individuals on board, including the pilot, have died after a helicopter crashed in Uttarakhand. Joint rescue teams comprising the police, State Disaster Response Force, and the Indian Army recovered the bodies and debris from an inaccessible cliff area amid heavy rain and poor visibility. The helicopter had gone missing while flying from Badrinath before the wreckage was located. Officials noted that primary investigations are set to begin to ascertain the cause of the crash, including weather clearances and regulatory approvals, while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami continues to track rescue efforts.

Continuous rainfall in the national capital forced the opposition India bloc to postpone its planned mock impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Originally scheduled to take place at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, the proceedings will now be held on Saturday afternoon. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is set to preside over the symbolic event, while Mallikarjun Kharge will introduce the motion. Civil society members and individuals affected by the special intensive revision of electoral rolls are slated to participate, concluding with remarks from Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The opposition aims to highlight allegations of vote chori and democratic erosion, leading up to a march to Ramlila Maidan on November 1. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party struck back at the opposition leadership, dismissing the mock impeachment as an unconstitutional political stunt designed to fuel anarchy and drama in the capital.

A Trans Bharat helicopter carrying six people, including the pilot and five passengers, crashed near Chhai village behind Hathi Pahad in Joshimath while en route from Badrinath to Fata. The aircraft took off around 1:30 PM before losing contact. Local residents reported sighting smoke and hearing loud sounds from the valley, alerting the Indian Army Signal Unit and Chamoli district administration. Rescue teams comprising the State Disaster Response Force, Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and local police have been deployed, alongside two Army Signal Unit helicopters. Adverse weather, heavy rainfall, snowfall, and dense cloud cover have severely hampered efforts to trace the wreckage. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that he is closely monitoring the situation and directed authorities to immediately airlift any critically injured persons to medical centres. This incident marks the third helicopter emergency in the Char Dham region during October.

The INDIA bloc has postponed its public mock impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner due to adverse weather conditions in the national capital. The event, titled Jan Maha Abhiyog, was scheduled to be held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence at 10 Rajaji Marg before rain affected the open-air venue arrangements. Opposition leaders announced that the deferred event will now take place tomorrow at 3 PM. Addressing the media, leaders highlighted opposition solidarity across multiple regional parties and appealed to students, youth, workers, and civil society to join their ongoing demonstrations. They alleged widespread election manipulation and accused the government of undermining constitutional processes and democracy. Leaders also confirmed that a joint march to Ramlila Maidan will proceed as scheduled on 1 November, with senior alliance leaders participating. Channel reporter Shivani Sharma noted that while the mock impeachment holds no legal or legislative binding, the symbolic drive aims to mount political pressure on the government.

Uttarakhand witnessed a spell of rain and early snowfall, causing weather conditions to change dramatically across the Himalayan state. At Kedarnath Dham, snowfall transformed the surrounding landscape, covering the temple surroundings and nearby mountains in white. The onset of winter conditions and freezing temperatures did not dampen the enthusiasm of devotees, who continued to wait for their turn to seek blessings at the shrine.

A special ground investigation reveals that the world-famous tourist hub of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is rapidly transforming into a concrete jungle. Commercial resorts, hotels, and properties are mushrooming across green zones, choking natural slopes meant to absorb heavy snowfall and rain. Despite a blanket ban on construction and strict repair guidelines mandated by the High Court, illegal developments have escalated over the past two years without required building permissions. Environmentalists and local stakeholders warn of catastrophic consequences akin to recent Himalayan disasters, noting that the destruction of green belts threatens virgin meadows, local flora and fauna, and glacial reserves. Demands have emerged for an anti-corruption inquiry and suo motu High Court intervention to probe an alleged nexus of officials and influential builders. When questioned on the violations, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also oversees the tourism portfolio, evaded queries regarding the rampant concretisation in Pahalgam.

Cyclone Arnaud completed its landfall process near the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast, weakening from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. Gusty winds reaching up to 135 to 150 kilometres per hour, accompanied by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, impacted coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and parts of northern Tamil Nadu. Widespread waterlogging, overflowing canals, and uprooted trees were reported across several low-lying areas, causing vehicular damage and commuter disruption. Authorities prioritised a zero-fatality objective, leading to extensive pre-emptive evacuations with approximately 85,000 residents relocated to safer high-rise areas and relief centres across vulnerable districts. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has been closely monitoring the situation as rescue personnel and ground authorities work to clear blocked roads and manage drainage. Weather officials warned that despite weakening, coastal regions remain vulnerable to post-landfall cyclonic storm surges and heavy rainfall over the subsequent 24 hours.

The landfall process of the cyclone is currently underway along the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and is expected to continue for two to three hours. Strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall have been reported in the affected areas. Preemptive power cuts remain in place across the landfall zones to prevent untoward incidents, with power to be restored once safety clearances are granted. Administrative authorities and field officers are focused primarily on rescue and relief operations, assessing potential damage to lives and livestock. The state machinery is actively monitoring the situation to shift affected individuals to medical centres or rehabilitation camps, working towards ensuring zero loss of life.

A severe cyclonic storm has triggered heavy rainfall, gusty winds reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour, and rough sea conditions across the eastern coastline, including Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Landfall is underway along the Andhra Pradesh coast, which is projected to face the maximum impact over the crucial next few hours. In Odisha, districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Koraput have experienced torrential rains and uprooted trees blocking key road networks. Emergency rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), alongside district administrations and senior officials, have been deployed to clear blocked roads and restore connectivity. While wind intensity is shifting away from Odisha towards Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across several districts, advising citizens to remain in safe locations as authorities monitor the situation closely.

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are bracing for severe weather as Cyclone Ornab initiates landfall alongside an emerging depression. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the situation in real time, advising people to remain indoors, follow advisories, and postpone travel to affected areas, while state machinery prepares drone food delivery to minimise losses. Concurrently, southern Odisha districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, and Malkangiri are witnessing heavy rainfall and gusty winds reaching 70 to 80 km/h, with ground reports from Gopalpur confirming severe coastal impacts.