Freak weather in Capital, but R-Day rehearsal goes on at Kartavya Path

Unseasonal rain and overcast skies failed to disrupt full-dress rehearsal ahead of Republic Day, with parade and cultural performances being held as scheduled along the Kartavya Path here on Friday. However, Indian Air Force (IAF) flypast was rescheduled due to dense cloud cover.

Early morning rain in several parts of Delhi led to a noticeable dip in temperature, with light to moderate showers continuing intermittently through the day. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an active western disturbance brought cloudy conditions, prompting a yellow alert for Delhi and adjoining areas, with the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by rain. Parade contingents, cultural troupes, security personnel and spectators braved the wet conditions. While most of the spectators were seen wearing raincoats and shawls, some others used plastic sheets to shield themselves from the cold and drizzle. IAF officials said the flypast, which could not be conducted due to heavy cloud cover, has been rescheduled for Saturday, subject to favourable weather conditions.

The rehearsal followed the same route as that of the parade on Republic Day. This year’s celebrations will feature 30 tableaux - 17 from states and union territories and 13 from various ministries, departments and services. The chill persisted in the city as the minimum temperature was recorded at 13.7°C, while the maximum was 16°C. As per the weather department, Palam was the coldest in the city with a minimum temperature of 13°C.

The temperature is against expected to drop, with IMD forecasting a minimum temperature of 7°C and maximum of 17°C on Saturday. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 282 at 4 pm on Friday, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

Metro to start services at 3 am

Delhi Metro will begin services at 3 am on all lines on January 26 to facilitate the movement of people heading to Kartavya Path for the Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Friday.

According to the DMRC, trains will operate at a frequency of 15 minutes on all lines from 3 am to 6 am. After 6 am, metro services will run as per the regular schedule for the rest of the day.

Special arrangement has been made to ensure smooth and convenient travel for spectators and staff attending the Republic Day celebrations. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and make use of the early services to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

The DMRC also announced that parking facilities at Metro stations across the network will remain fully operational on Republic Day, offering added convenience to those travelling by private vehicles before boarding the Metro.