Delhi Weather Chhath Puja 2026: Rain, Fog and AQI Today

Will it rain in Delhi during Chhath Puja 2026?

Only lightly, if at all. IMD forecast very light to light rain or drizzle at isolated places in Delhi on Sunday 15 November 2026, mainly between morning and forenoon, under a new western disturbance ^[3][4]. The forecast points to a brief, patchy spell rather than widespread rain, and India Today reported that there was no weather warning for Delhi on the day ^[4].

IMD's all-India bulletin issued at 9:02 AM on 15 November listed isolated rain over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi for Sunday, followed by dry weather from 16 to 21 November, UNI reported ^[5]. That means the main Chhath rituals, the evening offering on Sunday and the dawn offering on Monday, are not expected to face widespread rain in Delhi, though skies may stay cloudy on Sunday ^[3][5].

Weather can change quickly when a western disturbance passes. Before leaving for a ghat, check the latest forecast and warnings on the IMD website (mausam.imd.gov.in).

What are the Chhath Puja 2026 dates and arghya times in Delhi?

Chhath Puja 2026 is observed from Friday 13 November to Monday 16 November, with Sandhya Arghya on Sunday 15 November and Usha Arghya on Monday 16 November ^[1][2]. The festival is tied to Kartika Shukla Shashthi, which falls on 15 November this year ^[1].

The four days are Nahay Khay on 13 November, Kharna on 14 November, Sandhya Arghya on 15 November and Usha Arghya with Parana, the breaking of the fast, on 16 November ^[1]. The fast without water lasts about 36 hours, from the evening of Kharna until after the dawn offering ^[1].

For New Delhi, the Drik Panchang calendar gives sunset at 5:28 PM on 15 November and sunrise at 6:44 AM on 16 November ^[1]. The Economic Times lists sunset at 5:26 PM in Noida and 5:28 PM in Gurugram, and 5:01 PM in Patna ^[2]. Exact times differ by a minute or two between sources and locations, so devotees usually follow the local panchang for their own ghat ^[2].

The table below sets out the Delhi times together with the weather outlook for each day.

How cold will Delhi be at Chhath ghats?

Mild in the afternoon and cool at dawn: IMD forecast a maximum of 26-28°C and a minimum of 15-17°C for Sunday 15 November, India Today reported ^[4]. Times Now reported a forecast high of around 30°C and a low of around 17°C for the same day, which shows how forecasts vary between outlets ^[10].

For the evening offering, temperatures at sunset should still be comfortable, although standing in river or pond water for a long time can feel colder than the air. The dawn offering on Monday is likely to be the coolest part of the festival, with temperatures close to the daily minimum shortly before sunrise; the forecast minimum for Sunday was 15-17°C ^[4].

IMD also forecast mist or shallow fog at most places during the morning, with moderate fog possible at isolated places ^[4]. Fog near the Yamuna can reduce visibility on approach roads and riverbanks before sunrise, which matters for families walking to ghats in the dark. For Monday, IMD expected dry weather, with mist or fog possible at dawn, and surface winds of around 15 kmph in the afternoon ^[3].

What is the AQI in Delhi today?

Delhi's average AQI was 353 on the morning of Sunday 15 November, in the 'very poor' category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reported by Times Now ^[10]. Anand Vihar recorded 365 ^[3].

Several stations were in the 'severe' band, above 400. The Economic Times reported readings of 425 at IIT Delhi, 415 at ITO, 403 at the Commonwealth Sports Complex and 402 at both Delhi University's North Campus and Pusa ^[3]. Nearby cities were also polluted: Gurugram 324, Noida 313, Faridabad 311, Ghaziabad 294 and Greater Noida 283 ^[3].

Light drizzle can wash some dust out of the air, but the Economic Times noted that isolated showers are likely to bring only limited and temporary relief ^[3]. Winds of around 15 kmph on 16 and 17 November may help disperse pollutants in the afternoons, while calm mornings and evenings can still trap smoke and dust near the ground ^[3].

AQI changes hour by hour. Live station readings are published on the CPCB website (cpcb.nic.in).

Which GRAP rules are in force in Delhi-NCR?

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III ('severe' air quality) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on 6 November 2026, in addition to Stages I and II already in force ^[6]. The order said Delhi's AQI was 382 on 6 November and that forecasts showed it could slip into the severe category ^[6].

Separately, CAQM ordered preventive measures for 5 to 20 November 2026 ^[7]. These restrict dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction across NCR, with exemptions for projects such as railways, metro, airports, hospitals and national security ^[7]. State government and private offices in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar are to work with up to 50% of staff attending in person, with the remainder working from home, except for industrial establishments and essential services where this is not feasible ^[7].

The sources used here do not show whether the stage has changed since 6 November. GRAP stages can be raised or lowered at short notice as air quality changes. The current stage and the full list of actions are published on the CAQM website (caqm.nic.in). Schools in Delhi and NCR had earlier been told to offer hybrid classes, and the choice of physical or online attendance depends on local orders ^[9].

Which Delhi roads and ghats are affected on 15 and 16 November?

Delhi Traffic Police said traffic would be regulated on a need basis on roads leading to Yamuna ghats from about 2 PM on 15 November to 8 AM on 16 November ^[8]. Large crowds are expected at Ram Ghat, Soor Ghat and Bajrangi Ghat in the Wazirabad area, Vasudev Ghat near ISBT and Hathi Ghat in the IP Estate area ^[8].

Stretches likely to be affected include Bundh Road, Wazirabad Road, Vikas Marg, roads in the IP Estate area and approach roads to the ghats ^[8]. Commuters who are not attending are advised to plan alternative routes and allow extra time ^[8].

In Ghaziabad, police put diversions in place from noon on 15 November and restricted heavy vehicles from entering the city; Chhath is being celebrated at around 79 locations there, including the Hindon river ghat near GT Road ^[8].

Schools under Delhi's Directorate of Education will be closed on Monday 16 November for Chhath Puja, according to a circular issued on 13 November ^[9].

How can devotees prepare for fog, cold and smog at the ghats?

Check the weather and AQI before leaving, plan for cold water and poor visibility at dawn, and follow official advisories on routes and crowding ^[3][4][8].

1. Check the forecast: look at the IMD nowcast on Sunday morning in case drizzle moves in earlier or later than expected ^[4].
2. Check the AQI: readings above 400 were recorded at several stations on Sunday morning, so note the level nearest your ghat ^[3].
3. Dress in layers: the forecast low for Sunday was about 15-17°C, and it feels colder after standing in water; carry a dry change of clothes and a towel ^[4].
4. Plan for fog: carry a torch or phone light for the walk before sunrise on Monday and allow extra travel time ^[4].
5. Avoid the busiest roads: use public transport where possible and follow traffic police diversions near the Yamuna ghats ^[8].
6. Keep the timing in mind: sunset is about 5:28 PM on Sunday and sunrise about 6:44 AM on Monday in Delhi ^[1].

People with breathing or heart conditions who are worried about smog exposure should follow advice from their own doctor or official health bulletins; this guide does not give medical advice.

Why is Delhi's air so bad in mid-November?

Early to mid-November regularly brings very high pollution to Delhi-NCR because local emissions combine with weather that limits dispersion, CAQM said in its order for 5 to 20 November ^[7]. Its review of AQI data for November in 2018 to 2025 found a recurring pattern of very high pollution in early to mid-November, with AQI reaching 'severe' and 'severe+' on some days ^[7].

The contributors CAQM names are local emission sources, seasonal burning of agricultural residue and other biomass, and other episodic events ^[7]. During this period, low wind speeds, a shallow atmospheric boundary layer and reduced vertical mixing limit the dispersal of pollutants ^[7].

Rain usually helps only when it is steady and widespread. Isolated drizzle like that forecast for Sunday can settle some dust, but the effect is often short-lived once calm conditions return ^[3]. The dry spell IMD expects from 16 to 21 November means any relief would depend mainly on wind ^[3][5].