The air quality in Delhi witnessed a slight improvement on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 302 at 9 am, falling into the ‘very poor’ category. This marked an improvement from Tuesday’s AQI reading of 343 at the same time, driven by strong winds aiding the dispersion of pollutants.
However, the relief is expected to be short-lived as the Delhi Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) predicts a decline in air quality to the ‘severe’ category by Thursday. This deterioration is attributed to a decrease in wind speed and the influence of a western disturbance.
“The air quality is likely to be in the severe category from Thursday to Friday,” the AQEWS forecast stated.
Air Quality Index Levels
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI on Wednesday morning was recorded at 302, with 20 out of 38 monitoring stations registering ‘poor’ air quality. On Tuesday, the 24-hour AQI was 343 (‘very poor’), a slight improvement from Monday’s reading of 349.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels as follows:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- Over 400: Severe
Impact of Weather Conditions
Mahesh Palawat, Vice President at Skymet Meteorology, explained that a western disturbance set to influence the region around November 29 would result in a significant reduction in wind speed. “When a western disturbance starts to influence the region, the winds slow down, trapping pollutants closer to the surface,” he said.
Delhi has already recorded eight ‘severe’ air quality days this winter, signaling worsening conditions as temperatures drop and pollutants linger.
Restrictions Under GRAP
Stage-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been in effect since November 18. This includes stringent measures such as a complete ban on construction and demolition activities and restrictions on vehicular movement. These steps are aimed at curbing pollution levels during critical periods.
Temperature Updates
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded Delhi’s minimum temperature at 10.4°C on Wednesday, 0.1°C below the normal average. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 27°C. On Tuesday, the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 26.7°C and 11.9°C, respectively.
Sources By Agencies
