By: Express News ServiceNew Delhi | October 6, 2025 05:30 AM IST 3 min readDelhi’s air has remained in the satisfactory or moderate categories this month so far, even after the withdrawal of monsoons (File Photo)Rain is expected to keep Delhi’s air cleaner for longer as compared to previous years.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is expected to receive rain on Monday as well as Tuesday.Delhi’s air has remained in the satisfactory or moderate categories this month so far, even after the withdrawal of monsoons. On Sunday and Monday, the AQI was moderate, while on Friday it was satisfactory. It is expected to improve in the coming days (see box).As the monsoon recedes from Delhi, and the wind direction changes from easterly and south-easterly to north-westerly, the city’s air quality starts to worsen. This phenomenon coincides with farmers in neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh setting paddy stubble on fire after harvest to quickly get rid of the residue and prepare their fields for the next crop. This year, however, experts say, the harvest is still underway. In Punjab, which usually sees the highest number of farm fires between September and November, the devastating floods have also played a part.As a result, farm fires in these states are at an all-time low so far this year (see box).According to Delhi’s air quality forecast, the prevailing wind speed on Sunday was around 20 kilometres per hour.High wind speed aids the dispersal of pollutants, resulting in better air quality. The AQI on Monday is expected to be moderate.Story continues below this adThe direction of the wind will be easterly, likely carrying pollutants from farm fires in Uttar Pradesh.But the effect will be minimised because of the rain, the forecast said. “One or two spells of light to moderate rain very likely at many places accompanied with thunderstorms/lighting and wind speed reaching to 30– 40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph towards morning/forenoon. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 31°C and 24°C respectively…The wind speed will decrease, becoming less than 12 kmph from the south direction in the afternoon,” the forecast said.Light rain is also expected on Tuesday, which is expected to push the AQI into the satisfactory category.On Sunday, the maximum temperature was 34.1 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, and the minimum was 24.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Delhi air qualityDelhi rainfall